Last night I preached about “Digging Ditches”, from 2 Kings 3:1-16. I emphasized the fact that God’s plan involved hard work, faith, and obedience—it still does today. As I reflected on the message this morning I was reminded of something I had read, but not included in the message. As you start this day maybe this will give you some food for thought:

Work is man’s great function. He is nothing, he can do nothing, he can achieve nothing, fulfill nothing, without working. If you are poor-work. If you are rich-continue working. If you are burdened with seemingly unfair responsibilities-work. If you are happy, keep right on working. Idleness gives room for doubt and fears. If disappointments come-work. If your health is threatened-work. When faith falters-work. When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead-work. Work as if your life were in peril. It really is. No matter what ails you-work. Work faithfully-work with faith. Work is the greatest remedy available for mental and physical afflictions. THINK ABOUT IT!

Yesterday Bev and I celebrated our 49th anniversary. Our plans were hampered somewhat by rain, but it was great being able to spend the day together without distractions. My mind was flooded with memories as I thought back over the years. When I got up this morning my mind was on the word “Time”.Let’s talk about it:

TIME CHANGES PEOPLE: I thought about this on several occasions yesterday. It was on my mind as I limped through the mall because of a bum knee. I even had my trusty old cane in the car in case it got worse. I thought about it as I looked at a rock-climbing wall and commented–“I used to be able to do that!” I thought about it as I tried to run through the rain to get the car–I moved at a snail’s pace! I especially thought about it when I forgot where I was parked! Yeah, I really did, and to make matters worse Bev was watching (and laughing) from the restaurant as I made repeated circles searching for the car. Well, that’s enough about that. The bottom line is “I ain’t the man I used to be”.An old song says,”Time has made a change in me.” Boy, is that ever true!Bev, on the other hand, is still as beautiful as ever. Something about that just isn’t fair.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED: Not only have I changed, the world has changed. It has changed a lot, and not for the better, since we got married. In all fairness I must admit that we were not perfect little angels as teenagers.  There’s never been such a generation.  But any equally fair-minded person would have to agree that things have gone from bad to worse.  It grieves my heart to see what has happened to the nation I love over the last half-century.  It’s not the same and it’s not better.  We raised eight kids and never gave a second thought about it, but I’ve got to be honest – thinking about bringing children into this present situation is a scary thought (and “no,” I’m not promoting birth- control).  I’m just saying, our nation is in a mess.

TIME WILL CEASE.   Reflecting on the years gone by reminds me that I have less time to live than at any point in my life.  Every day brings me closer to that time when time shall be no more. The door of opportunity is closing fast.  As I look back I can think of a lot of things I wish I had done differently, but I can’t change that.  All I can do now is to try to live in such a way so as to not produce anymore regrets.  I have no regrets about marrying my wife, but I have plenty regarding the way I treated her during those early years.  Hopefully I will do much better in the closing years.

TIME TO QUIT.  Hopefully, my rambling will serve to remind someone that life is short and time is passing fast.  Do what you can while you can to express your love for others.  Don’t wait until it is too late.  You just never know when you will celebrate your last anniversary.  Tell that special someone how much you love them today.  THINK ABOUT IT!

The last month has been like a whirlwind. It seems like there is not a moment to catch your breath—busy, busy, busy! There is a lot going on and more to come. But, that is ok. Hey—aren’t we supposed to do more than just sit back, watching sunrises and sunsets? God has us here for a reason. He has given each a work to do and we will never find satisfaction in life until we get busy doing it.

The word “bored” should not be in the Christian’s vocabulary. Tired? Yes! Bored? Never! It is no wonder that so many people are miserable. They spend all their time thinking about ways to make themselves happy. But, when all is said and done, they never do. It’s impossible for a Christian to be truly at peace until they are pursuing God’s purpose for their life. It’s sad that most people never see that.

Listen, there is no reason why your life can’t be fun, exciting, and fulfilled. The desire for those things is God given. And, if He put the desire in us, He also provides the means to fulfill them. You just have to do it God’s way. That’s the only way that works. As I’ve said many times—Success is discovering the will of God and doing it. So, what are you doing? Yes, God wants you to be happy, but He wants you to find your happiness in Him. Think about it!