Month: April 2012

PDL 6 – Life is a Temporary Assignment

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is.” Psalm 39:4 NLT

“I am here on earth for just a little while….” Psalm 119:19a GNT

“There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4.18 MSG

Day 6 of 40: Last night I watched a TV show where a patient was being given anesthesia before having surgery… the patient died.

The scene brought back recent memories of receiving anesthesia myself before surgery… I could have died. I think the experience was a lot easier on me than for Barbara sitting and waiting without knowing the outcome.

Some folks worry a lot about when Jesus will come back to us (second coming) and forget that we might go home to Him first. Our lives are fragile and temporary.

I never thought of pastorates as being temporary assignments until I became an interim pastor. But, of course, all work, jobs, careers are temporary. Life goes on after we leave and, like footprints in the sand, we are forgotten. Unless we get someone to name a building after us. Then people wonder: “Who was that guy?”

Today’s question is “How does being a sojourner on this earth change how I live right now? Here’s some thoughts –

  • I’m not accumulating much stuff these days – Starbucks city mugs excepted.
  • I have a greater sense of urgency about using my time, energy and resources to further God’s Kingdom purposes.
  • Over the years I’ve asked myself: “What’s to become of me?” Now I know.
  • My attention has shifted away from politics… although I still yell at the TV.
  • I’m thinking small, rather than big.
  • And I’m looking for opportunities to “reach one more for Jesus”… that’s something that will last forever.

My song:

Morning Reading: Colossians 1:27-28 NLT

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.” Colossians 1:27-28 NLT

Pray for the Laos Church

April 24 | laos

Pastors and evangelists are vulnerable to being caught and imprisoned while on the road, carrying out their ministry from village to village. Often they are incarcerated without the chance to inform their family, which makes it worse for them.

Please pray for their safety as they dedicate themselves to the Lord’s work in spite of the dangers.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Ps. 32:7)