If my days were numbered, what would matter?
Psalm 144:4 – Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Money would not matter. Color of skin would not matter. Which side of the political spectrum people fell on wouldn’t either. Nor would personal ambitions or selfish motives. Religious denomination would not matter. Social media would not hold my attention. I would not be drawn to sports. I wouldn’t be envious or jealous. My personal popularity would not be a priority. I would not care what others thoughts about me. I would not leave things unsaid to those that I love. I would not worry about the coming election or COVID-19 or the unrest in society. I would not let the small things weigh me down. The minutiae of religion that divide the church would not matter, like topical versus expository preaching or Calvinism versus Arminianism or sprinkling versus immersion or elders versus deacons. I would not press into my kids to be successful at how I measure success. I wouldn’t worry about that “B” on the report card versus an “A.” I wouldn’t care about the house I lived in, and whether it measured up to others. I would not talk about others, having them for lunch. I would not talk about how awesome my life was, my kids were, my marriage was, or I was. I wouldn’t attempt to put my self on a pedestal.
I would be authentic. I would be selfless. I would encourage my kids to be themselves as God created them. I would view others in love, knowing that they will live eternally. I would promote the message that all are equal, regardless of ethnicity, denomination, or political views, under God, the God of the Bible. I would have meaningful conversations, not talking about the weather. I would pray. I would draw close to God. I would share the love of Jesus. I would cry. I would weep for those that I love knowing my time on earth was drawing close to an end. I would write, speak, and tell others about the God that I know that can change your life. I would want them to know that God is indeed love, but God is just. I would tell them to read the Bible for themselves and not to take others word for it. Read it, because few truly know what it says. I would view all the unrest in the world as expected growing pains. My personal conversations would be about the other person, not me. I would learn about them, how I could help them. I would focus on others.
Impact others. Live generously.