If you know me, you know I have a bit of a drama queen buried deep inside my soul.
At times, I tend to overreact, and I can get a little melodramatic.
But late last night and half asleep as I stumbled through the dark on my way to relief, I wondered, “What if my last day on this side of eternity happens on my trip to Africa?” As you read this, I’m somewhere on the African continent. (Hopefully, with my luggage, but that’s another story.)
Somewhere in the back of my head, I hear my mother saying, “For heaven’s sake, Kurt, why do you have to be so morbid?”
I’m not.
I’m not fixated on death.
I have no premonition of my impending doom.
And for the record, we’re all dying.
But what if?
What would I want to say to you if I knew that this was my last blog?
A few things come to mind:
- If I have modeled anything in this life, it is how God can use an imperfect vessel. I take comfort in the myriad examples of fractured people I find throughout God’s Word--men and women who were full of flaws and deficiencies, yet used by God. I have done a few things well, but I have done far more things quite poorly. Yet somehow, God, who delights in using the weak, has chosen to use me. The moral? He can use you -- Yes, you!
- Live the adventure of following Jesus! Life for me is far from boring. Rarely has there been a time when I settled for the routine and mundane. I’ve said it a thousand times, and I will write it here at least one more time: living in faith means taking risks, and God wants you to be a man or woman of faith. Don’t settle. Don’t be a couch potato. Disengage the cruise control button and live boldly. Will you fail? Sometimes. But will you regret living on the edge with Jesus? Nope! Never. So go for it. You were meant for so much more.
- Possessions and other material things of this world mean nothing compared to priceless relationships. I can promise you this: if my plane goes down over the Atlantic, my last thoughts will be of the people I love. My family. My wife. My kids. My grandchildren. My friends. In the last few moments of my life, I won’t be thinking about my house or my car or anything material. I suspect that will be true for you as well. If so, then why do we worry so much about what matters so little?
That’s it.
Fractured or not (and we’re all fractured)—let God use you!
Get off the bench and get into the adventure of following Jesus!
And build strong, deep relationships because only people are forever!
By the way, if the worst were to happen, say something nice about me at my memorial service, and please add some ground coffee to my ashes before you bury me. Wouldn’t want to show up in heaven without a good cup of java. 🙂
Kurt,
Glad you didn’t die on my watch while we were in Rwanda and Botswana!:-)
Me too! Had an amazing time! So honored! So glad you were there too!
I would go back maybe 50 yrs and say , “OH Wow” What a Joy to Know YOU” !!! – it meant the world to me ‘;) (((HUGS))) across the years and Miles JR Farmer
Thank you, Janet Rae, you are loved.
Good word!
I would say “God speed” and save me a space! The bad part would be missing your blog! And, of course, the separation for all those who know and love you so much. But you would be so excited! Talk about ultimate drama!
I, too, love how the Bible is rife with God using weak and seemingly insignificant people to convey His will and message. It certainly makes me take heart that He can use me when I surrender to Him.
Blessings, Kurt!
Great blog Kurt. Great thoughts. I think if we think that way God will say, “well done Good and Faithful servant”.Have a great trip.
Gary
We have been praying for you Kurt. The words of God that pass through you inspire us. Thank you.
You crack me up! By the way praying for you that God’s words and dunamis will be at work through you. May this time be like no other!