Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Mere Seconds


Sports are filled with underdogs coming from behind to win with just a few seconds to play or even won at the buzzer. Seconds count. On January 8, 2011, in just a few seconds a gunman was able to shoot off enough rounds to kill six innocent people and injured 12 others, changing forever lives of many more. Mere seconds. People stop breathing, accidents occur all in mere seconds.

As important as these events and actions are, even of greater significance is an event to occur within a blink of an eye; one that has been prophesied for centuries- the return of Christ. We do not know the exact date and time, but we are told in I Corinthians 15: 52a that “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye” (NLT). The average time for a blink of the human eye is less than a second.

Christ will not return one second before God deems that appointed time, wanting to give as much time for all to have the opportunity to become one of His. Not knowing when that time will occur, many are trying to play the odds thinking they have more time. I am sure that the individuals who died on January 8, in mere seconds, thought they, too would have more time on earth. “Only once is appointed unto man to die” (Hebrews 9:27).

In a blink of an eye, mere seconds… are you ready for that time? Christ invites us to come to Him today. “Now is the time for salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2a). He promises that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us (I John 1:9). Don’t delay for in seconds it may be too late.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Resolutions and Bucket Lists

As the New Year has rolled in, there is a lot of talk (written chatter, really) of resolutions. I have never been much of a “resolution setter”, finding the task as tedious as writing out a daily to-do list. I’m not much for dreams, preferring goals instead. My belief for all of this is that resolutions are steps to take to achieve goals; goals are dreams with feet on them.

However, I have maintained a bucket list for many years before the idea was made popular by the movie, “The Bucket List”. Many things on the list have been realized, some through gifts from my husband, such as sky-diving experience, a hot air balloon ride, my first flight in going after my pilot’s license. Some items on list have occurred with help from others, such as singing a duet with my dad, leading a Bible study. Other items on list have been through my own work, such as writing an editorial. Some desires on the list are on-going: visiting all 50 states (only 7 more to go), writing a devotional book.

One item on the list is bound with a dream: continuing my education. Never had I put where to stop with this one, never expecting really to achieve a MBA or further education. Within this rather ubiquitous goal is the dream held tightly, of one day obtaining a doctorate. In a few days I begin my third year in a doctorate of business administration program. I continually find myself amazed to be here. Yet, a few weeks back when Chris asked me what my next doctorate will be in, I gave an answer without even hesitating or taking time to think, confident that I will finish this first DBA. That confidence is not arrogance rather comes from the foundation and the building blocks that have enabled me to be at this place- from God directing my steps.

You see, God has given and is giving me this goal, is taking me on this journey. He has promised me that “As I go forward step by step, the way will be opened for me.” (Proverbs 4:12) And so, I press on knowing and believing that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

So, a resolution for this year? To continue this journey, doing my best, relying fully on Him.