More from Mr. Moody 6/6

"Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest." ~ D.L. Moody

I found this quote particularly interesting because recently I was speaking with a man who I have been getting acquainted with over the past few years…He is very much up in years, and has traveled the world. He is a successful composer of classical music. He is a very accomplished man in his field and is known world-wide in some circles. I have had the privilege of becoming a sort of “adopted grandson” of his. He is a dear man and a good friend. A few weeks ago, I was at there house for dinner. He and his wife began talking about all of the places to which they had traveled due to their music careers. They expounded about Rome, as pictured above, Paris, Prague, and even the Holy Land. I began to flip through a photo album they had put together some years ago and was amazed by all of the sites and stories. These people had literally been “around the world.” Mr. Bassett, this composer, and Ms. Anita, his wife, are not saved people. I have witnessed to him on many occasions, but he is set on trusting that he is a good enough person to go to Heaven. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in his heart.

When I read this quote, Mr. Bassett immediately came to mind. He has become “successful” as far as the world sees success, and he has done what many people dream of doing in traveling the world. But, what is all of that going to matter when he is on his deathbed? Unless something changes, this man will wake up in Hell after death. What will it matter how many countries he had visited? What will it matter how many songs he wrote? What will it many how many stories he has to tell? What is his life going to carry into eternity? Unfortunately, very little. He chose to live his life to become “successful” in the eyes of the world, instead of being “rich” in the eyes of God. I love that man very dearly, but in reality, he does not have very much to show for his life eternally.

What about us? Someday when we are 85 and we look back on our lives, will all we have to show for our existence be a few cities we have seen? A few dollars we have stacked up? A big house that we have bought? I may never possess those things. I may never have a big number in my bank account. I may never see Paris or Rome. But that is ok because “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ~ Joshua 24:15 We need not be worried about worldly success, but rather focus on spiritual gain! When I am on my deathbed, I want my mind and spirit to be able to say, “Lord, I have not done all that I could, but I have given you all that I have. I may not be “successful” in the eyes of the world, but I have led many people to your Son. I have ministered to others and, in turn, given my life away to them. I may not have much to leave behind materially, but I sure am taking a lot with me spiritually!”

What are you going to leave behind on this earth? You may leave behind much materially, but one day this earth will be burnt up and everything in it. What will you have then? Will you be in Heaven with very little reward to show for you life? Or, will you be among the people who “presented their bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.” ~ Rom. 12:2 In conclusion, if you are like me and are involved in many ministries in your church, you see people all the time who could be involved but they choose not to be. Often I think to myself, “These people have no idea what they are missing!!! They don’t know what it’s like to see someone accept Christ right in front of their eyes and realize that they had a part in it!!! Oh, how I wish they would live for God!!!” Many people are content to work their job, come to church once a week, read their Bible sparingly, pray inconsistently, and then feel like they are doing God a favor. However, what they do not realize is, one day when they are standing before God, all of their works will be tried…not to determine Heaven or Hell, but to reward them according to how they lived their live. That person, the one who does very little for God, will be very embarrassed and ashamed when they see all that they had done with their life burn away. When I stand before God and my works are tried, I don’t want to be standing knee deep in ashes!!! How do I prevent that from happening? By living a soul-out, radical, fanatical life for Jesus Christ and most importantly, telling others about His wonderful gift of salvation.

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