My Next 40 Years

Forty, its just a number. But, in my heart its a turning point. A time to reflect on the past. And even more a time for me to seize the present and future.

In just a flash, I’ve reached what is considered by many to be the halfway point of life. I was born on March 4th, 1975 in an Oklahoma City hospital. Some might say the best days are behind me. But, I say the best days are still to come. In fact, I’m claiming and believing God to do in my life what He did for a man named Job.

(Job 42:12a)The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.

Like many my age and older, I know enough to be dangerous. But, if I waste my knowledge and experiences it will all be meaningless. As a dear friend used to say often,”it took all I’ve been through to get me where I am today.”

Over the past forty years, I’ve had some high and low moments. I’ve felt on top of the world only for life to humble me very quickly. By God’s grace I’ve tasted many successes, but I’ve also experienced the pains of defeat. Through it all, God has sustained me and carried me to this point in time.

As each day passes, I’m reminded just how short life is here on earth. One day we’re born and before we blink our days are over. For this reason, I plan to make the most of what time I might have left. Here are my top three goals moving forward:

1. I Plan To WALK WITH GOD. I’m not just talking about going to church, saying some prayers, and spitting out bible verses all day long. I’m talking about taking time each day to seek God’s face and listen to His voice. I want to know God’s love, see God’s power, and follow God’s will. With whatever time I have left I don’t want to waste another minute doing things my way, but God’s way.

2. I Plan To BE A GAME CHANGER. I don’t want to be just another person simply existing. I want God to use my life in such a radical way that everyone I encounter is encouraged and inspired to change. When I’m dead and gone, I want my funeral full of folks that were touched by God through my life. When I get to Heaven I hope to find countless folks that I had the joy of introducing to Jesus. I don’t want to just be different, but be a difference maker.

3. I WANT TO FINISH WELL.  I truly believe it’s not how you started, but how you finish that matters most. I know many trials still await. I know that I will grow weary, be discouraged, and life will continue to throw curve balls my way. But, no matter what come my way, I pray I stay the course God has mapped out for me. Until, I breath my last I will aim to remain faithful to the God who created me and called me to Himself.

(James 4:13-17)(NLT)Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

*Join Pastor Craig any Sunday 10:30am @ RefugeChurch. Come as you are, but don’t expect to the leave the same!