All too often though we end up like George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life -- lots of dreams, too much responsibility, and zero travel. That can be a good thing showing that we're men of integrity who stay true to our responsibilities. However, sometimes we look at our lives and wish for something more. We think about skydiving, traveling on a safari, flying a plane, shooting a deer, gliding underwater in a submarine, scuba diving, or some other bucket list desire.
And there you go. We can get caught in the trap of living for ourselves or living for others. Do we buy that expensive toy for us or put food on the table for the family? Do we chuck it all and go on a solitary vacation or do we hang out at the park with the kids? Do we eat exotic and expensive food or is it popcorn at the movies with the little lady?
I confess I am very satisfied with my life -- my responsibilities. But that's easy for me. I feel I've accomplished most of my bucket list. Still, there are a few items left to be crossed off. The last item on my list has to do with being remembered as a man of God who made a positive difference. Selfishly, I will wait much longer to fulfill that one.
But seriously, when it comes right down to it that is the most important item on my list. All other accomplishments pale in comparison. So, having crossed off my submarine ride, piloting an airplane, and scuba diving, I still want to work on being a man of integrity, and of course, "being remembered as a man of God who made a positive difference."
What's in your bucket list?
Posts
3 comments :
Jesus had his own bucket list-John 13:1-17 Take just the next 10 seconds, If you knew you had only 6 month to live what is one thing you would do? That is You were perfectly healthy and money was no object what would you do?
I can only imagine what some of you would write in your notes. Possibly In your last 6 months would you climb mount Everest, ride a Harley on the great wall of China.. Or watch the sunset on the beach of Key west with the woman of your dreams. (mine) I know everyone of you have some incredible dream. Oh, the things I would do on my bucket list. That last great thing I could do before I die. On Munday Thursday. That day Jesus did those last things on his own list. In the text we hear of the special evening with Christ and his disciples in “THE” last supper. Let us think now what were Jesus’ last things he would do? Lets drop back to our own lists.I think Our trouble lies in our own lists. The sinful old Adam lists those items we would want to purchase,an exotic sports car, the ultimate feast, a great hunting trip, or a fabulous vacation. In each of our lists we allow our own wants and lusts to so easily take our focus away. We show on our shirt sleeve our sinful old Adam with these lists, with such an inward focus. It is just too easy to only think of ourselves, and place the needs of others last.Christ list is so simple and yet so monumental, Jesus’ bucket list consisted of something as simple as washing his friends feet. Now let’s stop and look at our list. I really doubt any of you in those seconds thinking about what you would do on your bucket list, included washing your friends’ feet. Really. Think about it,wash your friends feet… look around is there anyone you are buddies with that you would really want to wash their feet. Eww! That my friends, is just the point.Jesus does all those things we never would of though of doing. He accomplishes everything we could never do on our own. Jesus had his own bucket list too. On this night his list included an actual bucket containing water. This bucket is one in which Christ used as a focus of service. Jesus’s list for us is about being a servant to all. If clean feet were all that Jesus gave out that night in the upper room, He would not have given anything new.
It is not necessarily about the idea of washing feet but more so about Christ’s message. The purpose of his actions must accentuate the actual idea of “serving each other.” We so quickly think Jesus says go and serve the world…No.. Listen to his words in Verse 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
here he is saying we Must serve each other first… only then can we minister to those outside our faith. What is so important is our works apart from Jesus’ death and life, apart from our union with Him as branches to the vine, are worth nothing. It is because our flesh is not only weak, but it is dead. The Holy Spirit is that gift which God gives us to serve. This isn’t just wiping some dirt off of our feet. This is something more than a mere list. Each of you have received that same love that bends down in service of the neighbor. Love that seeks to follow Christ’s list by carring your own bucket of service to one another.
It has always amazed me that most people have thoughts about things they want to accomplish before they die. And they want so badly to put off death. I've heard about people who are getting older, and have regrets about things they never got to do. Why is that? I can't wait to meet God face to face. Don't get me wrong. I have no desire to stand in front of a train. And I don't intend to do anything to hasten my death. When God's chosen time comes for me, it will be His decision, not mine. But as I get older and closer to the end of this life, I don't think about things I wasn't able to do in this life. I can only think about how wonderful the next life will be. The analogy I use is this. What if your boss came to you one day and said, "I'm going to give you an all expense paid vacation to anywhere you want to go. But I'm not ready to tell you when just yet."? Wouldn't you come to work every day hoping today was the day he would say, "Pack you bags. Today is the day."? Someday God is going to say to me, "Today is the day". And I can't wait.
I think that we have lost the ability to enjoy the simple things of life.I think that this is part of what our Lord ment when He said "unless you become as a little child, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven".We need to remember how to live in and enjoy the moment, mindefull of our eternal reward.
Post a Comment