Email
Print
Making the most of life
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: November 14, 2008
The world is in confusion, from the White House and the Capitol to Parliament, Red Square and all around the world. We are lost in the political wilderness. We are at the crossroads, with one road leading to progress and the other one leading to destruction. It is decision time in our lives.
The world is looking for strong men and women. The farmer has a field to plow and crops to plant. Many factories are looking for good workers. Everywhere we are looking for good and strong men and women.
Let us admit that each of us has many problems stacked up and waiting to be solved. We can become so involved in our personal warfare, struggling with our day-to-day conflicts, there is not enough time to answer the demands of those who want our services. Our priorities are in limbo because of the many conflicts in our lives. Unless we pause for the cause, things will get worst.
However, great causes are being delayed because of the lack of dedicated men and women.
Let us pause here to say that there are many good people in our midst and they are doing some great things, but we are faced with a great shortage.
Our first order of business must be getting our lives in order. It is sad to say, but many people are not ready to face the many activities that are normal and some of these burdens are hard to accept. Many young adults do not know how to approach many of the problems that they must face one day or the other. It could be the illness of a relative, and the children do not know how to cope with this. Somewhere along the line, we did not learn from our elders, thinking that we may never have to face certain problems.
Each of us has his or her work. One of Thomas Carlyle's beatitudes was, "Blessed is he who has found his work." Once upon a time people took pride in their work. We are faced with the fact now that so many are just putting in the hours and that is all. Our work must be honorable and important to us and our employer.
We have so many who have lost their self-pride and they just do not care anymore. In John 9:4, Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work."
There is a great need for us to consider others. We should be careful about what we say and do. There is a certain part of us that will never die. One day our flesh and bones will leave this fellowship, but our influence will never die. Just think about the good that we do in this world.
We should never exchange divine truth for the devil's trash and believe me when I say there is much trash around us. We should never exchange high standards of living for the hog-pen life. Many self-destruct in this process and they never are able to climb out of the hog pen and return home.
Please do not exchange faith for fear. We will do well if we are careful about the things that can hurt. These things we must avoid. There is a difference in being cautious and being fearful. We should take caution in dealing with a loaded gun, speeding cars, drugs and hateful attitudes. Let us pray each day to be delivered from negative attitudes.
Many face the future expecting the worst to happen. This is not healthy in any manner. Dr. Fred M. Woods tells us that the best way to face fear is to be careful in every way and try to take care of ourselves, of course, but when we cannot conquer the foes that wait for us, God will either do it for us or give us the strength to do it. Have faith. The opposite of fear is not courage, it is faith.
Wonderful things happen to us when we live expectantly, believe confidently, and pray affirmatively. Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life. If we want to have a life that is meaningful, we must be a person of convictions and be a person composed of positives, invariably clear in opinion and firm in attitude.
Let us close with the thought of John Newton, who really gave us something to think about when he said, "When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be to see people there that I did not expect; the second wonder will be to miss many persons whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all will be to find myself there."
Think upon this matter.
W. Flemon McIntosh Jr. is the senior columnist for The News Herald and is pastor of the Green Street Presbyterian Church, USA.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
