Focus

 As one approaches the end of his or her walk and all the beauty and wonder that is promised--freedom from this mortal body and its struggle with sin, the end of sorrow and tears, the meeting with loved ones and friends who have been waiting for you, the worship service before the Throne, the unfathomable moment when you shall see Him face-to-face--in the eagerness to be immersed in those eternal gifts, we too often suppress the eagerness we should have to spend each new day serving and ministering to those around us. Sometimes as our physical bodies decline, we let our frustrations with those things cause us to lose sight of why we are here--it is not about us, it is never about us--we are in the world to minister to others. "The Son of Man came into the world not to be ministered to but to minister." That calling will still be true even on our last day--maybe "more true"?--just as it was on His "last day." Yes, no matter where I am on the journey, if I woke up this morning to the gift of another day, it is because He has something He wants me to do today to glorify Him, to encourage others in their walk of faith, to become more like Him--Christ-in-the-room--wherever He desires to use me. This is not my day; this is His day that He has graciously given to me. Yes, like Paul I can joyously testify that to be with Him will be very much better. But like Paul in his next breath, we must testify, but since I am not with Him yet, I will use this day to encourage my friends in their walk of faith. And will He not be with me this day--oh, not as wondrously as He will be in that eternal day--but just as powerfully, just as graciously, with a heart just as focused on others, just as dedicated to "Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." No matter where we are on the journey may our surrendered lives be the answer to His prayer.