I don't know whether I'm just becoming more sentimental the older I get or
if God is simply showing me how necessary it is to "number our days."
Everyone's life is a richly designed tapestry-a collection of moments and
memories that become fibres woven into the fabric of our very being. God has
been teaching me some things lately about making the most out of our lives
that I'd like to share with you today.
He has shown me how important it is to lay a solid foundation and how
essential it is to construct an enduring legacy if we are going to have an
influence that will make an eternal difference in the lives of those who are
following behind us.
I ask my wife Gene, when we come to the end of our race one of these days,
will we have imparted anything to our children that will withstand the test
of time? Are we leaving them with an endless list of rules and regulations
or are we instead fostering within them a life-changing love for God and
man? Will those around us whose lives we have touched remember our
passionate pursuit for God's presence or have we simply modelled "spectator
Christianity" to them? Just as Jesus spoke of Lazarus' sister Mary, that she
had "chosen the best portion," will that be what your loved ones think of
when they reflect upon your life?
This month marks Jeannie and my thirtieth wedding anniversary together. Our
children are growing up way too fast and sometimes I wonder whether or not I'm
doing all that I need to in my efforts to provide them with a godly heritage
that will not only sustain them during tough times, but that they can be
proud of for generations to come.
There is great truth in the old adage, "Actions speak louder than words."
Much of what our children and our friends learn from our lives is "caught"
rather than "taught." In other words, the life that you flesh out before
them will undoubtedly make a more memorable impression upon them than
anything you could ever possibly say to them.
In today's society, everyone is desperately searching for purpose and
fulfilment. Folks want to see people who are fuelled with enthusiasm about
things that really matter and who have strong convictions that give focus,
meaning, and direction to their lives.
We must exhibit two "passion points" to our children: in addition to
displaying our passion for God, we must also demonstrate to them our passion
for our spouse.
One time, early in our marriage, Jeannie and I really needed to get away and
spend some time together . . . alone. I told her, "Honey, we need to take a
few days off-just you and me." She reminded me that the kids were too small
and that we really could not afford to do anything like that at the time. I
knew she was right, particularly about our finances, but there was a much
more important consideration. I explained to her, "Sweetheart, if we don't
prioritise our relationship, then the whole framework for our children can
fall apart."
Children are the by-products of a loving relationship and, in saying that, I'm
not just referring to the results of procreation. I'm talking about the day
by day ongoing process of establishing secure and stable relationships that
will endure forever. As they witness firsthand what it truly means to love
someone, and as they see exactly what that looks like in real life, God uses
us to make an indelible impact on their impressionable lives.
I remember whenever I would get on an elevator and my girls were small, they
would inevitably ask, "Pick me up, daddy?" Have you ever actually realised
what the view- point of a little child is on an elevator? All they can see
are people's backsides and a "rear view" is not much of an outlook! What
they were saying to me was, "I don't like the way things look down here."
But, when we elevate them to shoulder level, then they can see life from a
"higher perspective" with a much better point of view.
This is the challenge that confronts each of us in our struggle to make a
lasting impression on the lives of the ones who are closest to us.
Sometimes, God puts people into our circle of influence that just need a
gentle upward lift so they can see farther ahead than they could on their
own. We must help elevate them to a loftier vantage point so they can
experience "God's-eye view" for their lives. Let's leave a permanent legacy
to those whom we love by pouring our lives into theirs while there is still
time.
Useful link: www.godchasers.net/
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