Tuesday, February 10, 2004

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Have you ever given any thought to what your obituary will read? I think one of the saddest obituaries I have ever read is found in 2 Chronicles 21:20. It is the obituary of Jehoram, who was King of Israel. It reads, "Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

"He passed away, to no one's regret." What a sad summary of a wasted life. When Jehoram was called by God to lead the people of Israel as their king, he could have accepted his calling and stepped forth to lead the people with wisdom, honor, and courage. He could have led them back to God by setting an example for them. But instead he chose to live for the world, and his life was cut short and was missed by no one.

Charles Stanley once preached on how some folks get saved but then never do anything with their life or their calling. He summed it up as "Saved Soul -- Wasted Life." Wouldn't that be a sad summary of a life lived here on earth? Saved soul -- wasted life.

What have you done since being saved? Have you stepped forward in faith, moving forward down the path God has set for you, fulfilling the purposes for which He called you? Or have you just wasted the time and the gifts that He has given you? Thankfully, God has promised to restore all the years the locusts have eaten. It is never too late to respond to God's calling on your life and life the abundant life that He called you to live. Make a decision to step forward today -- live out His purposes in your life -- and write a new obituary for yourself -- "Saved Soul -- Abundant Life."

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