Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
I have officiated at many funerals over the years. Some are filled with heartfelt memories of the one who has passed on. Some are not. I have come to understand that the difference comes down to what the deceased had been living for, and there are only two choices: We can either live for the self or live for our Savior. The choice is always ours.
I learned a long time ago that the only life worth living is a life lived out for the glory of Jesus. And if we are living for the glory of Jesus, we live to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. Living this kind of a life does not happen by accident; it only happens by choice. The impact we have in the lives of others will come down to the things we choose to do or not do . . . and we make those choices moment by moment.
Living a life that truly matters will stand the trial by fire. There will be circumstances in life that will burn us, but we will not burn up; our work “will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The simplest way I can restate what Paul is saying is this: If what we are doing is done for our glory, it will burn up; but if what we are doing is done for the glory of God, it will survive the test of fire.
So . . . whose glory have you been living for lately? Who has been sitting on the throne of your life?
Remember, what we do echoes in eternity. May that echo be for the glory of God and the good of others – all others — regardless of the cost or circumstance. Then we will know we are living a life that truly matters.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 