Yesterday I shared some thoughts on the value of the Word of God over the pursuit of career. In that post I mentioned that there are a number of us who are pursuing and have heard that one could use the first half of one’s life to create wealth and the second half to serve. While I support and applaud those who have chosen to use their success to engage in this way, I suggested that may not be the wisest course. Something happened this weekend that may validate that suggestion.
You may know that Saturday A&M hosted Auburn at Kyle Field (full disclosure here I am a A&M former student and my wife attended Auburn). My brother in law, who is an Auburn grad, with most of the rest of his family, and his wife bought a package to go to the game last year. They left from Birmingham Saturday morning and flew to College Station for the game. Imagine the atmosphere on the plane. All of the folks were Auburn fans. They have a new coach. They are playing much better than last year. Auburn had never before played at Kyle field. They were coming to see one of the most explosive offensives and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. They were pumped.
One of the Auburn fans was a 35 year old man from Birmingham sharing the experience with his father. Somewhere between Birmingham and College Station, he suffered a heart attack. Six people on the plane rotated administering CPR; a doctor, several nurses, and others who were trained. He was pronounced dead when they landed. 35.
First half for him was 17.5.
I do not know who he was. I tried to find out more info. No idea what he did or if he had a family. I know that he was excited to be on the plane to see the game and then was struck down.
For us there is a lesson here. We do not know how long we have here. Psalm 139:16 tells us that all of our days are set. Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days so that we can present a heart of wisdom to God. In Luke 12:16 – 21, Jesus shares a parable that reinforces the truth that we should not plan on doing something later. James 4:13 – 17 reminds us that it is God who is sovereign over our plans. I could go on…
The point is there are more important things for us to pursue than career, gold. Our first responsibility is to know Christ. That is done through His Word. If we have been given children, our responsibility is to raise them as apprentices of Christ.
Do not wait for the second half. You do not know when that is. Do it now.
One of the Auburn fans was a 35 year old man from Birmingham sharing the experience with his father. Somewhere between Birmingham and College Station, he suffered a heart attack. Six people on the plane rotated administering CPR; a doctor, several nurses, and others who were trained. He was pronounced dead when they landed. 35.
First half for him was 17.5.
I do not know who he was. I tried to find out more info. No idea what he did or if he had a family. I know that he was excited to be on the plane to see the game and then was struck down.
For us there is a lesson here. We do not know how long we have here. Psalm 139:16 tells us that all of our days are set. Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days so that we can present a heart of wisdom to God. In Luke 12:16 – 21, Jesus shares a parable that reinforces the truth that we should not plan on doing something later. James 4:13 – 17 reminds us that it is God who is sovereign over our plans. I could go on…
The point is there are more important things for us to pursue than career, gold. Our first responsibility is to know Christ. That is done through His Word. If we have been given children, our responsibility is to raise them as apprentices of Christ.
Do not wait for the second half. You do not know when that is. Do it now.
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