First, Put First Things First
July 22, 2005
Suppose you woke up tomorrow and received two phone calls. The first phone call tells you that you have inherited $20 million, no strings attached. The second tells you that you have an incurable and terminal disease, and you have no more than 10 years to live. What would you do differently, and, in particular, what would you stop doing?
So says Jim Collins, (Author of one of my favorite chapters, located in this book.) in this article. Here's another way of putting this:
If money were no object, if lack of money weren't an obstacle, if doing things just to meet your living expenses weren't a priority and, and, and, (You got that "and", right?) time was of the essence, you knew that the time you had left to live was short, you knew that you only had so many more days on this earth; what would you put first place in your life? Collins focus on the stuff you need to stop doing side of the equation.
This two part question is designed to help us focus on what's most important. Why has God put you here? What's your purpose in life? What's your assignment? Most of us go through life keeping ourselves so busy that we never stop to answer these questions. We get up in the morning, eat a little breakfast, go to work, come home eat a little dinner, maybe watch a little T.V. spend 2 or 3 minutes talking to your kinds and then you go to sleep. The next morning we get up, eat a little breakfast, go to work, come home eat a litlle dinner, watch a little T.V. go to sleep. Get up the next morning, eat a little breakfast, go to work, come home eat a little dinner, watch a little T.V., go to sleep, get up the next morning and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, until one day you don't wake up in the morning.
Your kids, if they're not too busy, come home to bury you. Your wife, if you're still married is in shock and mourning for a couple of years. Meanwhile your casket begins deteriorate as the result of the watering that takes place to keep the grass above your body green and beautiful. The worms begin breaking in and if you've done your job right, over the course of your 70 or 80 years on this earth, they have a tremendous feast at your expense.
That's what most of our lives come down to. But that's not why God has created us. He hasn't created us just to be worm food.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God has created us to great and might deeds upon the earth.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
So sit down right now and answer the question.
If money were not an issue. Jesus said:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
and Paul said;
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
If you knew that your time in this life was growing short.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
What would you do differently? What would you stop doing? What has God called you to do?
Hat Tip to: Bruce Johnson