You May Have Seen This Picture Before – But It Fits Here.
Nostalgia seems to have gripped me these days. You know, celebrations at Christmas and New Year are powerful memory makers and memory shakers. I know my life story has more years in the past than in the future on this planet. I guess it is never too early to think about the impact of life – What have we done that lasts past the grave and benefits others for generations?
I am asking that question of myself and would like you to consider that it is never too late to ask the question of yourself. My mom asked me this question about 5 years prior to her death: “David, why am I still here?” She was 95 or so at the time and had become very limited in her mobility. I said, “Mom, you are a prayer warrior for your family. Regardless of your health, you can still pray. And, regardless of your health, you can still love God and others.” She did both very well. I know she was looking for more than that, but her activity level was so limited that she could no longer serve others in her family or outside the home, though she had done both well for so for many years.
Now, I ask the question of you, “What will you do to impact generations for Jesus and His kingdom work?” Answers will include prayer and loving others in His name. These two privileges can be done regardless of age or the status of your health.
Is there more that you want to do? A wise pastor once said, “What you wish you could do for all, do for one!” Could you impact students and teens or young adults by being a mentor, a teacher, a friend? Could you visit the infirm or home-bound? Could you invest in ministries that are doing what you wish you could do or had done more of? Could you train to come alongside marriages and single folks to help them establish Christ-centered relationships and change the world around them? Could you serve others through your church or on missions near or far- short term or long term?
I know our world is in a mess and has been for so long, but let’s not stop praying, loving, investing, and trying to make a difference by finding that place or those people in whom we can and will invest time, money, service, and love. It isn’t too late to love or pray or give or serve. Please don’t just regret the past inactivity, if that is you. Get up and move into God’s stream of activity for the rest of your days…be ye young or old or in between.
We need you!
I pray that my children and grandchildren – to the final generation of my lineage – will serve and love God with their whole heart for their whole life!