“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”- Eph. 5:15-16
Life is too short to focus on anything that distracts from the main thing. And the older we get the more we realize that–you start thinking about it every day. How do I spent these waning years of my life?There are many “good causes” crying for our attention and numerous other things that divert our attention, drain our energy, and draw us away from what we should be doing. And age has a way of drawing things down to a narrow point. You don’t have time to do all the things you used to do, or all the things you would like to do, or the things others want you to do.
To make the best use of what time we have left we have to keep our focus where it should be. We can’t afford to let attractions, associates, arguments, or anything else get in the way. There are a lot of “nice people ” in the world but that doesn’t mean that we should pursue a relationship with them. Naturally we want to be friendly to everybody, but we can only be close friends with a select few. I decided many years ago that the quality of my friendships was more important than the quantity of my friends. Fifty years ago I walked away from a “fellowship” of preachers because I valued the faith more than being well-liked and popular. I don’t regret it. Now in the waning years of my life I refuse to waste my time on things of no benefit. Considering I have only so much time and energy I want to spend it on what God has called me to do. I have no desire to become embroiled in endless debates that are of no profit, to win a popularity contest, or see the wonders of the world.
It grieves me to see good people drawn into bad things. Every issue isn’t my fight. I can’t force people to “see it my way”– and to neglect what is most important to debate the issue is foolish. Others can do as they please, they have to answer to God, not to me. But considering I have only so much time I want to spend it trying to reach the lost, laboring with those of like faith, and loving my family. Therefore I want to avoid any attraction, arguments, or associates that distract me from my goal. As C. T. Studd said, “Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”–HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
