How will you spend your day today? A short road trip to visit family? A relaxing day watching sports on television? Maybe a nice dinner at home while spending the day cleaning up around the house after a busy week at work? Will you make time for God? Will you attend a church service? Will you open your bible? Why have we become so complacent toward our creator? For many years I have used my time selfishly with great disregard for gratitude that I even exist. I denied obvious evidence of a loving and generous God that created all that we hear, smell and see. When I embarked on my spiritual journey a few months ago I literally had to clean the dust from my Bible. I realized at that moment that I had spent my life in arrogant denial by believing I alone was in control of my life. I now wonder how I ever got by. Perhaps evil kept me afloat and provided a false sense of accomplishment so that I would believe that this world was it and that I should focus on what pleased me.

In December of 2021 I fell from a ladder. I destroyed my spleen, cut my kidney, had internal bleeding, broke multiple ribs and completely dislocated my arm at the elbow. I was literally knocking on death’s door. Had that been my last day in this world what did the pursuit of all of my own goals and desires accomplish? I literally spent my life chasing things that would mean nothing once I passed away. Perhaps I knew enough of the Bible to believe that I was ok if there was an afterlife. But then I was using that popular word “believe.” I believed based on my own mindful creation of what and who God was though I spent no time confirming those beliefs so that I could actually know. Through God’s grace I was saved as he worked through the hands and minds of the EMT’s, nurses and doctors. I was granted more time to seek knowledge. God still had a plan for me.

I believe we as human beings spend a lot of time chasing expectations of satisfaction and completeness through worldly desires. And though my understanding is seeking a fruitful life is not wrong we will never feel complete if we seek that lifestyle without a true understanding that this life will eventually come to an end. Perhaps that end will be today. This should concern all of us.

As I study scripture I have come to see that God is supportive in our earthly desires of stability and success but He wants us to entertain those pursuits with the basis of His laws as our driving force. Succeed without causing harm or ill will toward others. Strive by first being generous and compassionate to others. And through our attempts to live a comfortable and satisfying life make time for Him and give thanks for all is provided by Him. To think that all we have is by our own grace and effort is foolish arrogance. “So don’t worry about these things, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need”. Matthew 7:31-33

The most important lesson I have learned is that God loves me and through the sacrifice of Jesus I have been given a free gift of eternal salvation. I still feel in my heart that my chosen line of work is my simple “calling” but that I will achieve great blessings by placing God at the head of my table knowing that through Him I will achieve contentment and satisfaction. The world has become very busy and many have lost sight beyond the grave even though the grave could be tomorrow’s destination.

Heavenly Father we thank you not only for the gift of life now but also the promise of eternal life after our physical death. I pray that our minds be clear and free of arrogance as we prioritize our efforts each day and that we never forget that you are right here right now, a living God that wants to share His grace and guidance if we just ask. Thank you for your love and your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.