[Faith-talk] Live only once

[WESLEY BURDEN]

Live Only Once



"It is appointed for men to die once, but after  this

the judgment."



Again I would like to quote one of my many favorite

one-liners that is from William Penn, the

18/19th-century French/American  religious leader who

said, "I expect to pass through the world but once.

Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I

can show to any creature,  let me do it now. Let me

not defer it, for I shall not pass this way  again."



Penn's words bring to mind one of my good friends who

died at age 44 from  cancer. I was with Graham shortly

before he passed away and asked him how he  felt being

only 44 and given only a matter of weeks or a few

months at best to  live. One of the unforgettable

things he spoke about was how difficult it was  for

him when some friends who visited him in the hospital

rattled on with empty  words, or said "the right

thing" but without feeling or heart. He was  dying and

to him their words were empty, meaningless clichés. He

wanted to talk  about life, death, and being ready to

meet God face to face--and issues that  mattered.



He also said how angry he was because there were so

many things he didn't get  done and still wanted to

do--but his time was up and he would never get them

done. This was one of his big regrets. But his main

regret was that he felt he  hadn't spent enough time

with his kids and family.



Graham's words remind me how temporal life is. None of

us has any guarantee of  tomorrow, so (not being

fanatical about it) we do need to live every day with

eternal values in mind.



So, do you have any unfinished business? Any impaired

relationships that you  can and need to resolve?

Anyone you need to let know how much you love them?

May I kindly suggest that you do it today! And, above

all, do you need to get  right with God? This I urge

upon you to do today--now.



Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to

remember the words of the  poet who said, 'Only one

life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ

  will last,' and live life to the fullest-but with

eternal values uppermost in  my mind. Thank you for

hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus'

name, amen."


Stu
<mailto:K5stu at sbcglobal.net>K5stu at sbcglobal.net
Reading your Bible today will help prepare you for A Brighter Tomorrow!
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