(The Time of Your Life)
Dwelling Place City Church
Have you ever had a random, obscure thought just pop into your head out of nowhere? One minute you’re making dinner, driving to work, or washing your cute face in the bathroom sink, and there it is — a lyric from a song, a long forgotten quote or even some silly thing someone once said to you. We’ve all had them!
Recently, I had such a recall travel through my on-duty brain. Before I was even out of bed one morning the now famous quote from Queen Elizabeth 1 (1603) while on her deathbed dropped into mind. “All my possessions for a moment of time” and at that exact instant in her life, the Queen came to the stark reality that nothing is as valuable as time. You can always get more money, but you can never acquire more time. Amazingly and unfortunately, this is unforeseen by many people.
I had to wonder though what she would have done with a little more time? Eat another truffle? Chat one more time on her cell phone? Watch another episode of The Bachelor, or check the internet one last time? Just kidding of course, but who knows. I think many people would love to have more time at the end of their lives, but really, what are we waiting for? Time to run out? Indeed it will – for all of us. All the more reason not to tarry on matters that really don’t matter!
While that great Hollywood mind Miley Cyrus thinks that “Life is all about having a good time” the Bible would tell us otherwise. Eph 5:15-16 tells us to “Be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! Make the most of every moment …” Yes! Of course! Why not, but how to do that is the big question!
Does our community need improvement, healing, motivation, inspiration, support, and encouragement?? Absolutely – just pick a project and get to work. I mean, just how hard can it be to aid in the improvement of your own neighborhood? Think about what your city would lose if you were never to get involved? I always ask people, “Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?” And just think, working within your own city can cost you something as free as your spare time.
Harvey Mackay nailed it when he said this: “Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it …” I’ve listed just a few things that each of us can actually do to get started to make our Valley a strong, vigorous, more delightful and amazing place to live and work. But listen, for God’s sake, we all need to stop complaining and just get involved. As Nike says, “Just do it!”
~ Shop local – support our own businesses
~ Organize a yard sale for a local charity
~ Coach a local youth sports team
~ Visit a Senior Center
~ Find positive aspects of our city and share them with others
~ Write a letter to encourage your local police, firemen, etc.
~ Make a hot meal for a shut-in
~ Volunteer at your local church or hospital
~ Be a good neighbor
I’ll leave you with this rich quote by Margaret Mead:: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has!”
Bob & Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet. For more information you can visit them at: DPCityChurch.com
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