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I don’t remember the first time I saw him, but his face is still imprinted on my mind. His eyes sparkled like a little boy who had a secret, although he had left childhood far behind and now …
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I don’t remember the first time I saw him, but his face is still imprinted on my mind. His eyes sparkled like a little boy who had a secret, although he had left childhood far behind and now needed a cane to get around.
He was once a successful businessman with all that life had to offer, but all that was gone the day he sold everything to live and promote his dream — one that would change the world — providing him the success and recognition he thought his genius plan deserved. Over the years I watched him to see if anything would change. But, no matter when or where we happened to meet, he always shared his dream, the one that he adamantly believed would transform the world.
One hot summer day I saw him again in a store parking lot. I felt impressed to stop and see if he was all right. Approaching him, it soon became apparent that he was in pain and needed help. After some encouragement, he reluctantly agreed to check into the hospital a couple of blocks away. From that point on he wanted to become friends. He seemed delighted with our newfound friendship and everything was progressing well until one-day he was gone.
The years have passed since that time. Reflecting back to what might have been, his motives have become abundantly clear. He was not really trying to see what he could do for others, but rather what others could do for him. The world he desired only existed to honor and glorify him.
There is another man who had a desire to change the world. He, too, gave everything to promote his dream, but he wasn’t looking for recognition or fame, neither was he thinking of the pain it would cost, but “because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Do you, my friend, have visions of grandeur, fortune and fame? Or do your dreams include living your life to honor the one who gave everything to save you? If you’re not sure, look again at the cross. See how much God really loves you.
(Steve Nelson is the pastor at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Powell.)
