Manna and Coffee

“God has picked out people who are laughable, and through them He is confounding those who think they are high and mighty.  Low-class, second-rate, common, average, run-of-the-mill people- those so low that the world doesn’t even think they’re worth the time of day-these are the ones whom God has chosen…” – translation of 1 Corinthians by Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems from the Greek

Have you ever wondered if non-believers think that it is a waste of life to pursue the things of God instead of using our gifts and talents to amass wealth, power and prestige? I mean, what would have happened if Billy Graham had not accepted the call to share the Gospel and had applied his gifts of leadership, communication and persuasion within a Fortune 500 Company?  Maybe if he had spent less time talking about Jesus he could have become a CEO and brought new inventions to society and made millions of dollars…

What if Mother Teresa had decided not to dedicate her life to God and serve the broken lepers of Calcutta?  Maybe if she hadn’t spent so much time hanging out with the forgotten lepers, she could have used her gifts in servant leadership and compassion to develop an even more successful not-for-profit organization than Missionaries of Charity that could have trained others to serve the hurting even more effectively…

I’m currently reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. I own several Apple products but did not know much about Steve Jobs prior to reading this well written book. So far, I have learned that Steve Jobs worshiped Steve Jobs.  I wonder how many people out there think that Steve made a bigger impact on the universe than Billy Graham or Mother Teresa have?  I wonder how many people out there would trade their lives for Steve Job’s life instead of Billy Graham’s or Mother Teresa’s if given the choice.

Mother Teresa once said, “Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.”  I think that this may be true of Steve’s life.  His life appears to have been a reckless, self-centered pursuit for recognition and acceptance.  No doubt he was a master innovator and had some keen leadership skills, but I personally wouldn’t have wanted to work for him.  In fact, as much as I love the Macbook that I’m typing on right now, if given the choice, I would rather be typing on a PC with the knowledge that Steve Jobs had dedicated his life to Christ and had chosen to make an impact on eternity instead of adding another dent to a sinful world that will pass away.

Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)  Do you really believe this? Really? What do you want your tombstone to say when you leave this world?  Mother Teresa’s tombstones says, “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

I have been thinking about what I would like my tombstone to say.  I think that I want it to say, “This sinner found forgiveness and peace in Christ alone.”

Dear Lord please forgive us when we strive to leave a legacy with men rather than for You.  Help us to be satisfied with You alone and to understand that our gifts are to be used to bring You glory and to help others.  Please forgive us when we dent the universe that You made in perfection.  Help us not to live wasted lives Lord.