Life that Matters

Having a life that matters isn't that what we all want? Too many times we go about it the wrong way for we think having money and being able to give to those in need is what life is all about. Some think that prestige in their career and how many times they show up in a Google search is the answer. No, for greatness is not being the most popular, outgoing, smartest or the most gifted; sad as that may sound. You see what if you don't have money that you can give to help others? Do you see me with my hand up! What if you don't have prestige and your name wouldn't come up on a Google search; like mine even if you spelled it backwards. What if you were not popular, outgoing or even kind of smart and you had gifts that no one really wants to open? Even if all that's you, don't you still want to live a life that matters? I do and I think you do too. So, what makes our life worth living and how can we make a difference during our lifetime? Listen to this story I found that spoke to me, I hope it will speak to you also. This is a true story by the way. The story is about a man who once was an athlete. He played college football until one day, as a young adult, he suffered a stroke at practice. The stroke caused brain damage and the man was in a coma for a couple of weeks. When he woke up, he was paralyzed and couldn't walk. The doctors told him that he would never walk again. Eventually, he regained the use of his legs and re-learned how to walk, but the brain damage was severe enough that he would never be his old self again. He would be challenged for the rest of his life. Sounds awful doesn't it? So what does a person like this do? Can't play football so what does he do? The university where he had played football gave him a job as a custodian. He loved his job. He was so thankful to God that he is alive and can hug his wife and give piggyback rides to his kids. He said he was thankful that the school gave him a good job even though it was picking up other people's trash because he loves helping people. Here was a guy who has all the reasons in the world to be angry with God and to give up. But instead, because his life has been touched by God's love, he found real life and the way to greatness to live a life that matters by loving God and serving others. By the world's standards, this custodian will likely never be considered great. But, in God's eyes he is making a difference by being a servant, which by the way, Jesus defines as the core value of real leadership! So as my Pastor said long ago "see the need take the lead."

Luke 7:36
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

Luke 7:37
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

Luke 7:38
And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. One is invited, one is not, one a religious leader the other a woman with a bad reputation. So what happens?

Luke 7:4o (Jesus said)……
Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

Luke 7:41
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

Luke 7:42
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Luke 7:43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same
loveth little.
The man in the story was thankful he was alive and didn't care that his job was a custodian. He was thankful for it. What about you are you thankful for what you have? Are you taking what you have and living a life that matters?