I AM 54 YEARS OLD. I HAVE LIVED A GOOD LIFE. A REALLY GOOD LIFE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY WONDERS THAT GOD HAS PUT BEFORE ME ON MY BUFFET OF LIFE. I HAVE ACHIEVED SOME VERY LOFTY GOAL'S, MET SOME HIGH PERSONAL STANDARDS, AND ALSO DONE SOME SHAMEFUL THINGS THAT BRING STINGING TEARS TO MY CHEEKS WHEN I THINK ABOUT THEM.
I HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT. I ACTUALLY AM JUST STARTING TO REACH MY PEAK. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH IT? I'M IN COLLEGE; AT 54. I HAVE A DECENT JOB, ALTHOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS SETTLED FOR SECOND BEST, UP UNTIL NOW. SO WHAT SHOULD I POUR MY HEART, SOUL AND SPIRIT INTO NOW?
I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS SO SIMPLE IT SOUNDS ABSURD. GET UP EVERY DAY, AND GIVE THAT DAY THE BEST JOHN, I CAN BE! JUST BE ME. WARTS AND ALL, AND IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING, BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED AND STUDIED AND PUT MYSELF IN THIS CURRENT SPOT, GOD HIMSELF WILL DIRECT MY PATHS.
I'LL STILL MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS, ALL THE CHOICES, GOOD BAD OR INDIFFERENT, BECAUSE I AM A FREE WILL AGENT. GOD WILL NOT FORCE ANYTHING ON ME. HE WILL HOWEVER GUIDE ME INTO SITUATIONS AND BRING PEOPLE TO ME OR CAUSE ME TO CROSS PEOPLES PATHS TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEIR LIFE. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT. IT WE ARE NOT ENRICHING SOMEONE, EVEN IF IT'S JUST OUR SELF AT THE MOMENT WHAT GOOD ARE WE? WE ARE JUST TAKERS.
I WANT TO GIVE BACK OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN ME. WHETHER IT BE A SMILE, A BELLY LAUGH, A RUB OF THE CHIN OR SCRATCH OF THE HEAD WITH A HMMMMMM.......AFTER IT, I HAVE DONE MY JOB!
I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO START WHEREVER YOU ARE, DOING SOMETHING TO PUT BACK INTO EARTH. DON'T JUST BE A TAKER. BE A GIVER. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MUCH. JUST ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND BE AVAILABLE, AND YOU'LL GIVE CORRECTLY. OUT OF A PURE HEART YOUR PRECIOUS GIFTS WILL POUR, GIFTS THAT NO OTHER HUMAN BEING ON THIS PLANET CAN GIVE OUT FOR GOD. YOU WERE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE FOR JUST THIS PURPOSE.
DON'T MISS IT.
BLESSINGS MY FRIENDS,
J
Sounds like you are in the zone my man. I, on the other hand, am in the parking lot. I'm feeling like I have to wait another year to do what I am meant to do.
ReplyDeleteThis is not to say that where I am is a mistake although I believe I made some bad decisions. Took the long way. Encountered a detour or two. I believe that with God, there is always Plan A. If we mess up Plan A then we go to Plan A. There's never a Plan B. We simply take opportunities or not, as they present themselves. And follow through on commitments. Do what is right but with compassion and mercy.
So here I am. I am not so disciplined or organized but frankly, I'm not sure that God intends all of us to be. Again, I try to keep up with those responsibilities that are necessary but I am also open to spontaneity and a new direction. These things do not upset me. In fact, they are often sources of great joy.
The Germans under Hitler were very organized and disciplined. So those characteristics are not only the domain of Godly people.
Inspirational post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it! :)
You are so right. I need to copy it to my files when I have more energy. :)
So tired now I could go down in the poppy fields with Dorothy. :)
What a heartfelt post. I love when you get real and philosophical because your best writing comes out when you show your true colors...not that you don't ALWAYS shine...but when you open up like this, you ROCK and SHINE!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good way to start the weekend...with this thought-provoking post. How will I give back? Hm...I will let you know.
Thanks all,
ReplyDeleteAnd Jeannie, you are standing right beside me at the right place and right time. God's time being perfect and all!
J
Loved this post!!! So true.
ReplyDelete