What Really Matters in Life
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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that was devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come.
As I read his book, I found it inspiring and causing me to think about what I would say under a similar assignment. Throughout history people have tried to determine what really matters in life. Socrates said it was knowledge; Aristotle said self realization and Epicurus said it was pleasure. I know that for me it is a moving target. What mattered to be in my younger years and especially before I became a Christian are totally different from what matters now.
Years back, I would focus on the material things….Power, position and possessions. But now my focus is on family, faith friends and relationships. As Paul said to the church at Corinth, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Randy’s last lecture was like that. It was a one of a kind lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. Knowing he had only weeks to live, he said “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
As I read his book I thought, what wisdom would I impart to the world if I knew it was my last chance? If I knew I was going to vanish tomorrow, what would I want as my legacy? Randy’s lecture was not about dying; it was about living…. living a life that really leaves a legacy and one that makes a difference for the better in the lives of people left behind. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment because “time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
The older I get, the more I realize that it’s the little things that count, but little things can move mountains when they inspire and motivate people.
Lord, help me to focus less on this life and more on the life to come.
Questions: What is priority in your life today? Does God fit into your dreams for the future?
After having been so deep in depression in the past I have come to realize how precious God is to me and He loves me even when others don’t. He has renewed in me the reason for living and I am starting to be able to again look with hope for the future which is after death. It takes time.
The greatest priority in my life today is to live this life God has gifted me with in the way He leads me to in order to bring glory to His name. To me this means loving those already in my life passionately and reaching out my hand in love, mercy, and compassion to those I meet. I want to hear those precious words on that Day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” For they will tell me that I was pleasing to my Lord, the First Love of my life.
The difference between “run” and “ruin” is “I”. Earlier in my life I simply wouldn’t relinquish control of my life over to God. It wasn’t until “I” had ruined my life with alchohol and loose living that I realized that He had the very best for me after all. Furthermore, He didn’t just let me stay that way and say, “See? What did I tell you! You made your bed now sleep in it!”, No! He came into my life and into my heart and lifted me up, brushed me off, stood me on my two feet and began the great “Urban Renewal” of my life.
Now, each day that I have before me I thank Him for it. It’s an abundant life! Full! Not just goody goodies, but all that it has to offer, Life! In Feb 8, ’07 when I woke up having had a brain stem stroke and the Dr. told me that fewer than 5% ever live to see another day, life took on a different meaning, again. Matters that used to matter, didn’t matter! What really matters is God, He matters. Our relationship to Him and to others matters, family matters.Getting things “right” and being a blessing to others is most significant to me. God doesn’t expect us to come out with a mouth full of knowledge and Theology, just a smile! A good report! A kind word to the person handing out your biscuit and coffee in the morning!Comforting and encouraging someone in deep trouble and lifting them up, that matters! I often think of Nehemiah, when he went to the city of Jerusalem and saw the ruin and destruction everywhere! The compassion and love that motivated him as it did Ezra into doing something about it; that’s how I feel about life today.
AMEN!