The Day Before My Birthday

I'm in a reflective mood this morning as I think that I'll be celebrating another birthday tomorrow. I don't know where it came from but the thought just came to me that if I died right now, would I have done all that God's asked of me? Would I have even come close to obeying Him in all things He's intended for my life? Have I left enough of a legacy that if I were to die, people would say my life reflected Philipians 1:27?

Have I "lived my life in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ"?

Hopefully, that answer will be more of a "yes" than "no".

I just got back from dropping my SUV off at the Toyota shop and had a shuttle bring me back. The driver was an 80+ year old man who reminded me that we should live each day to the fullest for the glory of God. We initially started off with small chit-chat but quickly found ourselves talking about how we've both been blessed by God's plans & protection for each of our lives. Although I'd just met Buster, I felt like I could've stayed in that van for another 2 hours and just listened to him talk about his life, his travels and his faith.

There seemed to be a sense of sadness, however, in some of what he said. Although he never mentioned any specific instance, other than his getting older, there seemed like there was something just beyond what he was saying that said there was some hurt in his life. I would have liked to have had that extra hour with him so I could have offered him some encouragement...even more than I was able to do in those short 10 minutes.

My prayer this morning to the Lord was that I would have the chance to have SOME sort of impact for His kingdom and that the glory would be for Him, not me. I hope that the presence of the Lord was felt through me today and that Buster didn't see "me" in that seat next to him but a reminder that God is with us at all times. I hope that I was able to show him that Christ lives in me and has promised to never leave nor forsake us...that He will be with us 'til the very end.

That is what I wish for you who read this today as well.

That you didn't come by some random website blog to see what someone's profile is like or that you may just be checking in to see if I've updated things recently...

I want you to see, hear and feel Christ right there next to you this very moment.

I want you to know that whatever you might be going through today, Jesus Christ loves you. He loves you so much that nothing you've ever done could ever make Him love you less and nothing you could ever do could ever cause Him to love you more.

He loves you enough that He came to die for you and regardless of what you have heard or read in the culture today, He wants to know you intimately...one on one.

Whatever hurt your feeling, whatever fear your facing, whatever trial or situation you're going through, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and His love reaches down from Heaven today to right where you are this very moment. Call out to Him and He will be there.

The Bible says "ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks, receives; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

Although something so simple can be so profound, never ever doubt the power or truth in this statement:

Jesus Christ loves you.

Call out to Him today and just see what He wants to show you. His plans and directions for our lives are so much more than we could ever hope but to see them come about, we need to put our faith, trust and life in His hands. However, remember that those plans He has for us "are plans for your welfare, not for disaster; to give us a future and a hope."

May God richly bless you today!! Have a great week!