The
impact of a life is not necessarily related to the number of years a person has
clocked on this earth. Its quality
– how a life is lived – often matters much more.
Robert
Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) was one of the greatest Scottish preachers. Though
he lived only up to the age of 30, he made tremendous impact through his
preaching and writings.
Of
course, the greatest impact was made by Jesus who ministered for only three
years in his early 30’s.
James
Allan Francis spoke of the impact made by Jesus’ life:
Here
is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He
grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until
He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never
wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a
family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He
never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did
one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but
Himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His
divine manhood. While still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned
against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over
to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a
cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of
property He had on earth while He was dying—and that was his coat. When he was
dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a
friend. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece
of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the
mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that
ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever
reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as
powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.
Since
we can never predict how long we are going to live, we had better live
intentionally and circumspectly: Be clear in our minds as to what is God’s
purpose for our lives. We
often think that being spiritually-minded means not having to plan.
But having faith does not mean we do not plan.
For
more on Plans and Purposes:
Life’s
unpredictability and transience should lead us all
the more to make the best of our lives while we still have the opportunity.
“Teach us to realise the brevity of life so that
we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
“Therefore be
careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time,
because the days are evil. So then do not be
foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for
that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:15-18).
Life is short and the times are evil. Wisdom dictates that we make every
day of our life on earth count for eternity.
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