Friday: Leave a Message

Proverbs 20:11, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

1 Timothy 4:8, “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 

Seth had a very unusual phone message set up. I would call him, ring, ring, ring, and he would finally answer, “Hello?… Hello?” And I would begin talking and then be rudely interrupted with, “Just kidding, I can’t come to the phone right now, leave a message, and I might call you back.” I cannot tell you how many times over the years that he had that voicemail that I fell for his voicemail message. I also cannot tell you how many people would tell me about falling for his voicemail message!

There have been times when I have received a message meant for someone else and times where I have sent a message meant for someone else! Oops! For example: Mac’s freshman year of high school, he got a new phone number, and I accidentally messaged his old number. The new owner of the number responded and was like “Sorry, who is this?” I realized I texted the wrong number and responded, “Oh my lanta! I’m so sorry! Wrong number.” And the person responded, “LOL. Mylanta? Do you know that’s medicine for an upset stomach?” The person then sent me a picture of Mylanta medicine for digestive health. I kid you not. She then proceeded to tell me all about her life. I wish I could tell you that I only accidentally texted her one time, but unfortunately, a week or so later I thought I was messaging Mac about his basketball banquet and it was his old number! A whole text conversation later, Mac ended up changing the contact name in my phone to “NOT MAC THIS IS A STRANGER JERS.” I am happy to report that I have not miss-messaged her since! Having the proper contact info is SO important in sending a message to the intended recipient!

As we wrap up this week, I can’t help but think about being “Called.” Why do we call someone? We call them because we have a message. What is your message? We know that we are fully known by God. We also know that we have a call to fulfill and that the world is watching, looking, searching for something to fulfill their soul-deep needs. You are the bearer of that message. You may be the only Bible, the only chapter, the only verse someone ever reads - what does that book, chapter, verse - say about you…about your God? How do you deliver that book? How do you speak it? How do you pray over it? I can’t help but look back at Saul’s conversion and how once he knew God everything changed. Life certainly didn’t get easier for him, but because he knew Christ, he had true purpose and the legacy that he left behind is a remarkable story of grace, redemption, purpose, hope, acceptance, forgiveness, and most importantly, love.

Whether you acknowledge it or not, people are watching you, reading the message you live. You think you are young and it doesn’t matter? Wrong. You think you are old and it’s too late? Wrong. You think you are in the middle of life and don’t know how to feel, let alone have the energy to deal with one more thing? You too, are wrong. We are all actively leaving a legacy. How do we live and leave a lasting legacy? We live for the Lord, not for self. 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” When we live for ourselves, we live a lonely life, focused on a party of one. When we live for Christ, we live focused outward - looking to serve others as we have been commanded.

We live with eternity in mind. Life is short, we hear this all the time, yet somehow we go through each day and ignore that no one is guaranteed time. We focus on things that cause us to stumble, we dabble with sin, thinking we are smarter and wiser than any other person who has been ensnared in sin - all while being completely oblivious to the fact that we are already trapped. We blame others when we are caught, we deflect, we have excuses for every little thing - and miss taking responsibility, receiving grace, and moving forward fulfilling the purpose we are called to do. Wake up! Your life is but a vapor - don’t waste it! Ephesians 5:15-16, “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of your time, because the days are evil.” 

Lastly, we live now. We don’t let life pass us by, sitting on the sidelines, focused on the past, looking in the rear-view mirror. We don’t wait for our “prime” and we don’t give up when the world tells us we are past our “prime.” We live a life completely broken, spilled out, and used up - we don’t leave any gas in the tank. We run this race knowing, trusting, believing that nothing can compare to an eternity with Jesus. Nothing. Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 

What message are you gonna leave? 

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Consider: What does your life say about your right now? What kind of legacy are you currently shaping?

Do: There is no legacy greater than that of Child of God. You don’t like the current legacy that you are living? It is not too late to change it. Let God do His perfect work in you.

Pray: Dear Jesus, You have given us the perfect example of the way we should live and in the manner we should walk but sometimes we fall, we stumble, we mess up. Please forgive us! Help us to live with eternity in mind. Knowing that we represent You and all that You have done for us. May we walk worthy in the manner that we were called. We pray, that you use it all, use all of us, we surrender it all, nothing we hold back. It’s ALL Yours. Thank You for being the Faithful One. We love you. Amen.

Be Blessed!