Emulate Jesus Christ -- Post 20: If You Had Your Life to Live Over Again, What Would You Do Differently?
- judyrix
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
By Judy Rix...
We had the clock radio set to wake us up one Sunday morning. The first thing we heard on the airwaves was a radio preacher proclaiming, "If you had your life to live over again, what would you do differently?"
That's quite deep for the first thought of the morning! I pondered it all day.
A statement by Charles Dickens in his book, Great Expectations, came to mind:
"That was a memorable day to me,
for it made great changes in me.
Imagine one selected day
struck out of your life,
and think how different
its course would have been.
Pause and think for a moment
of the long chain of iron or gold,
of thorns or flowers,
that would never have bound you,
but for the formation of the first link
on one memorable day."
Every day of your life, you make pivitol choices that will indeed bind you to a life of happiness or misery.
Are your choices leading in the direction you want to go? Do you even know where you want to go? We all came to earth with a purpose; have you discovered yours yet?
As always, Jesus Christ is our exemplar. He knew His purpose precisely:
"This is My work and My glory,
to bring to pass
the immorality and eternal life of man."
His very life, including His death, was devoted to that clear mission statement. By fulfilling His purpose, He ensured that you and I can be resurrected from the grave and receive life eternal.
What Is Your Mission Statement?
What is your purpose for being on earth? Your time may be wasted if you don't know what you're trying to accomplish. Give it some serious thought by re - phrasing Christ's statement using His example:
"This is MY work and MY glory...
(Now fill in the blank!)"
Just as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, deliberate and dedicated actions are essential to form the "chain of gold or flowers" leading to your intended purpose, your destiny. Will you allow flimsy, absent - minded DIStractions form the "long chain of iron or thorns" that bind you and stifle your purpose?
Regardless of your age or accomplishments, take the time to consider how you would respond to the question of that radio preacher -- "What would you do differently if you had your life to live over?"
Today, embark on that new life by crafting the plan that will lead you to the formation of the first link on one memorable day.
_____
Go to the Source -- What Do the Scriptures and Respected Teachers Say?
"Reach and strain. Learn all you can. Growth comes from setting your goals high and reaching for the stars."
"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them."
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Bible, Galatians 6:7
“It is incredibly easy to work harder and harder at climbing the ladder of success only to realize that it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”
Mistakes? Yes I've made ones that I regret. Thank goodness it's not too late to start again!
I had never thought about "MY work and MY glory." But if I'm going to gain any glory, I'd better get to work!