At a recent conference a speaker gave the exhortation to remember that "We have an eternity to perfect the journey of Christ-likeness and growth, but only a lifetime to testify about God to a world of lost people." It was, obviously, a charge to remember the imperative to never forsake the "as you go, therefore, everywhere be telling" of evangelism for a false dichotomy of "discipleship VS evangelism."
It reminds me of the parable Jesus spoke about the 3 people each given a free lump sum to "steward" for later collection, and how they were measured based upon the risk and diligence they applied towards maximizing what they had been given. The prudish individual ultimately reprimanded in the story buried the little money he was given to ensure it didn't depreciate in value...while his peers all risked for the gain of multiplying yields on the principle for the ultimate joy of the rich ruler. The story uses money as an object, but the lesson implied is much broader than finances - it encompasses all the things we are entrusted with to steward...money, skills, opportunities, relationships, knowledge, truth, and time.
However, I have spent considerable time over the past few weeks meeting with people who have been coasting in varying degrees of purpose-lessness for YEARS. Whether it's the guy who spent 30+ years working a job he loathed and robbed his joy, the couple whose marriage had been "not terrible" for 90% of their 10 years together (utterly miserable the other 10%), or the person stuck in a rat race of routine that has them tied up in knots but has no idea why they started or where they're going. There's a witty video clip put together by a pastor in TN that is attempting to address this very issue under the caption of "Dream Jobs: what you do matters."
Why do YOU do the things you do? Towards what end, for Whose pleasure, for what reason are you investing your time in...your job? your marriage? your parenting? your friendships? your hobbies? your ministry service? your...?
What values are reflected by your portfolio of time and energy investments? What silent sermon is your life preaching to your kids, spouse, siblings, neighbors, co-workers? Are you going somewhere...on purpose?
The stock market hits a speed bump and all of the inflationary wealth is shattered leaving only real assets with remaining value. The benefactor of the parable returns and eventually calls in the accounts for a reckoning. Crisis hits and suddenly the mustard of our life is tested for what it is. Wise is the person who assesses their investments for value prior to a crash, their situation before a crisis, their trajectory before the wall of destination.
