A matter of life or death

It's so easy to get absorbed in the schedule of life........in the highs and lows. It's so easy to completely miss why we are here. Am I here to produce and do and make and create? Why yes. But not as I usually think. I am here to bring glory to God. To make him popular. I am here to have relationship with him now and in having it with him, to have better relationship with others too. God is relational. He desires us and our dreams and our hearts and our plans. And He desires our good. He's not a mean ogre. He is just. He doesn't smile on sin. It's easy to get self absorbed. I'm sure glad that He didn't.............he is actually enough all on his own, but He chose to love me, to love you, to die for us. To make having a relationship with me a priority. Amazing.So many thoughts going through my mind because I've recently come from a funeral of someone that I loved and admired. It was someone I looked up to because he had come to a place where he understood relationship. He made it a point to be thankful to people. He made it his habit to keep things right with his neighbors. He made an effort to smile and speak a kind word even when his pain was in the inconceivable range..........He made choices to honor God and to build relationships. He made me feel special though we didn't agree on everything. He was gentle when he had enough wisdom and knowledge that he could have been proud and harsh. I'm not thinking he was always this way..........but that he allowed God to keep on working through the years right up to the day he died. He said his apologies. He tried not to have regrets. He really worked to stay off of drugs that might have taken his mind away from him. He chose to walk as an example of what God can do in a life that chooses Him first. Lest you think he was perfect, nah. He was mischiveous and fun. Silly. Goofy even at times. He gave the greatest gifts. And loved doing it. His smile was good..........his laugh was awesome. His little word plays were a treasure. He just went out of his way to give another person a little smile in their day. He wasn't rich. But he was always willing to give to someone. He didn't have a massive home. His home always stretched to include anyone who would come. He wasn't afraid of the truth. Spoke it boldly. But he didn't make people feel belittled with his words. He was cautious with them. He grew through life because of a choice. A choice of Jesus. And sharing Jesus. He always shared His love first. By his own smile. His own words of encouragement. His own friendly visit. His walking around his neighborhood praying for his neighbors. But he was humble. Just a man. No great saint. But he shined. Because he shined, Jesus shined in the world brighter. I'm sure he yelled. I'm sure he grumbled. I'm sure he worried. I'm sure that he was impatient. Hey, he was married and raised 4 kids..........that's not easy! Oh, and was a apastor.......trials and troubles on every side. But even though I know he had those things. I know that that's not what his family and friend will cherish in their souls...........No, they, I will cherish that special feeling of having walked a little closer to Jesus by having walked with Jack. His life has changed mine. It makes me look at relationships and evaluate where I am. What can I do to walk closer to Jesus.........lots. I want to start now so that when the end comes, I will leave that light in the hearts of others. So that they will have felt good relationships and love because of me. Relationships are not easy. They are life. And life is messy. It's easy to hide. It's easy to avoid the truth. But since Jack's death I've come to cherish truth even more. To be told the truth by a friend is precious............because it comes from someone who sees you, knows you are not perfect, but is willing to stay for the long haul. And on the good side, it's really important to take lots of time for hugs and "good jobs" to those we walk with. From acquaintances to family, we all need filling up. We all need good strokes. Jack was good at that. I'm glad that I got to talk to Jack before he went to be with Jesus. I'm mostly glad that he got to talk to me. He spoke blessing into my life. I want to find how to speak blessing. Yep, a matter of life and death..............our death won't matter much if our life hasn't mattered to others.