Yesterday marked a milestone of sorts in my life. Yesterday I became sixty-years-old. We had a get together last week with all of our family. It was a special time for me. Yesterday we went to a restaurant that gives you a free meal on your birthday for breakfast and then we started a drive toward a meeting we have scheduled for today. We then spent the next seven hours fighting New York city traffic (should be a trip that lasts about three hours). It was not the most exciting birthday gift I could have asked for, but it made me think. The best way I can think to live these years that God has given me is trying to do something for Him.
I will not always succeed at everything I attempt for Him, but I want to be always trying to do something. Each day we have been given is a tremendous gift from God. Each day of those given to us that we do not try to do something all out for God, is a waste of those precious days. I have been guilty of simply wandering through many of the days God has given me over these past sixty. Yesterday, even though most of the day was spent sitting behind the wheel of a car doing an average of about seven miles per hour (capable of going much faster … I assure you), was a day well spent. We used my sixtieth birthday to drive to a place where many Deaf (we hope) will gather around the truths of the Word of God today.
A short poem comes to my mind today. I am not good at memorizing poetry, but this one sticks in my mind (and I know that I have repeated it many times in these devotionals … but when you get to be my age …). Here goes: ‘Only one life, ‘twill soon be past … only what’s done for Christ will last.’ Simple and sweet. This is the phrase that is running around in my mind on this time of my life. I don’t know how many days I will have left on this earth, but right now, I know that I have this day. I want to do all I can on this day to do something for Christ. I don’t want to waste it in the aimless pursuit of wealth, or fame, or success in the worlds eyes, or on any other thing. I want to accomplish something for Christ with this day I live today.
Today I share my life verse with you in closing. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (II Corinthians 4:5). The main character of my life’s story today should not be me … but Christ Jesus my Lord! Today, I want to live for Him, and not for self. I want others to be drawn to Him, and not to me or my personality. I am thankful for the years God has given me to live for Him. I want to be sure that I exalt Him, and live for Him today. ‘Only what’s done for Christ will last …’