Living a Life that Counts

I know it isn't Wednesday, but I have really felt to share this...

Monday 17th August, 2009

Living a Life that Counts

Matthew 6:34 – Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Exodus 9:16 - But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Isaiah 49:4 - But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."

Today is the Tomorrow we worried about Yesterday.

We are not guaranteed that we will live to see tomorrow. Nowhere are we promised that we will get married, have kids and grow old. And yet, we expect with all certainty that tomorrow will be there for us. We presume that we will live long enough to find that special someone, settle down with a family and spend our grey-haired years in a rocking chair.

But it doesn’t always happen this way.

Everyday, all over the world, lives are cut short. People, mostly children, are dying because of the sin and selfishness of our world. There is a food crisis in so many countries - people starving to death, or becoming ill from eating rotten food.
Even in the plentiful countries that many of us live in, there is still hurt, pain, and suffering. People still die undeservingly. Car accidents - drunk drivers. Depression - suicide. Drug overdose.
As I type this, my heart is unsettled. Why do we live in a world so full of pain? Becuase of sin. But what are we doing to change this? What cause are we standing behind? Are we even trying to make a difference in this world?
If you were to die tomorrow, would your life have counted?
Right now, our challenge is this:
Will I put aside ME - the things that I want, MY dreams, MY comfort - and pursue HIM?
Am I willing to give up being popular on earth to be a valuable part of heaven?
What am I going to do to change even the smallest corner of this world?
Is my focus on me, or am I focused on God? Is He my first priority?
Do I live in such a way that I am sharing God's love and making a difference everywhere I go?
IF I DIED TONIGHT, WOULD MY LIFE HAVE COUNTED?

(Please comment your answers to these questions)

I'm not pointing fingers at anybody - I struggle with this each and everyday as well. My answers would be:
1) My soul is willing but my body is weak... As much as my heart's desire is for 'me' to die and for Christ to live and reign in me, that isn't the way I live all my life. It has to change. It will be radical - I will probably look pretty strange, even to other Christians. But it is what I have to do.
2) I figure - I'm not popular, but I seek to be. I want people to like me and to have friends. But, what is better - the acceptance of God, or that of people? Makes me think about what it is that I really want...
3) What am I doing now... While it may not really seem much, I guess helping out in the children's ministry at church is part of that... as is my writing and singing. I really need to think more about this...
4) I know that I focus on me more than I should... that is going to change though! I am determined to make God my first priority!
5) Again, I wish I could whole-heartedly say 'Yes!', but I know that this is a constant struggle and issue... I'm working on it!
6) ... I want to say yes, but I'm not sure...

Let's change, and live in such a way that we can say 'My life counted!'