But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. –Psalm 33:11
Did you know that this year worldwide, it’s estimated that about 60 million people will die? We hear, read, or see a lot about deaths due to violence, war, disease and accidents. Yet, it amazes me to consider just how many people die annually of all causes combined. There’s just no escaping the fact that everyone dies sooner or later from one cause or another. It’s a good reminder of just how fleeting our lives are.
For me, time seems to be moving faster and faster the older I get and it is strange to think that I have fewer ticks of the clock left than those that have already gone by. I’m also reminded, however, that our time on Earth is not the entire story. God’s story–His plan for the world–is continually unfolding. And everyone has a role to play.
Make no mistake about it: you are part of God’s story! God has chosen that people be given temporary charge of the planet. Further, Christ-followers are given temporary charge as God’s ambassadors–His personal representatives to be His messengers to enlarge His place in the hearts and minds of people. With these “charges” also come responsibility and accountability. According to the Scriptures, there will be a judgment day where we will have to give an account for our stewardship.
In a world of close to 8 billion people, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that in God’s story, every person matters. You may feel sometimes like just another lemming in the crowd on the way to the end of the cliff! But I believe that what God said to Jeremiah applies to each person, “Before you were born, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).
In God’s story, you matter! We may not be able to see beyond the current chapter of how our lives play out in His story. But as Christ-followers, I do know this: our most important tasks involve doing the necessary things that lead to growth in our relationship with Jesus so that we may in ever-increasing fashion reflect Jesus in all we do. In this way, we pass on this unfolding story of what God has done and what He is doing in the world to following generations. Then, at the end of our days, we can rest assured that we have kept God’s story moving along.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of someone whose faith has been beneficial to your own faith. Sometime in the next couple of days, thank him or her for being part of God’s work in your life.
2. What “chapter” will you write today as part of God’s story?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 90:2; Corinthians 3:18, 5:9-10,20; Hebrews 9:27;1 Corinthians 4:2