My uncle passed away. His funeral is Thursday and I have to sing a song. I can't really get my head clear about what to sing... or say for that matter, so please be praying for me. The death of a loved one always disorients me and causes me to ponder so many things more deeply. Aside from the obvious sadness that naturally comes along with loss, death has a way of bringing to mind my own mortality and the fact that, this earth isn't my final destination or yours.
As the "old saints" used to say, "We're just passing through here" and it's true. We are. This is not our home, no matter how attached and connected we feel to it. We're citizens of the Kingdom of God. You and I have been chosen to walk this earth for an appointed time to make an impact and then, we go to be with the Lord to get our reward.
This blog post isn't about death, however. Instead, it's about life and recognizing our purpose in the context of our own mortality. In other words, we should show how much we value the limited amount of time we have to be on this earth, by aggressively seeking, pursuing, and doing everything we can to fulfill our purpose and divine call.
Sometimes, though, I think we get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget we've been placed in this world for a certain period of time to do a work. Again, we're citizens of the Kingdom. We're here to be a light and an example to non-believers and to win over as many of them as we can. Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth..." (See Matthew 5:13a KJV) He also said, "Ye are the light of the world..." (Matthew 5:14a KJV)
Are we being salt and light? Has our "saltiness" been diluted or our light dimmed by conformity to secular ideals, beliefs, and values? If so, God wants us to re-align our thinking and priorities to line up with His. Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (Matthew 5:13-14).
Even yesterday's blog, "In Your Shoes," dealt with this same issue, which is, being mindful of who you are and what you've been chosen for. There's a mission you must accomplish; a soul you have to win; a community you have to restore; or even a fellow believer you need to empower.
It all begins with a simple "Yes Lord I give my life to you."
That's all God wants. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1 NKJV).
Remember, by not allowing our living to be in vain, then His dying is not in vain either.
Let us all pursue purpose, for tomorrow is not promised...
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowere to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
