Today's Trouble

I fall prey to the trap of analysis paralysis quite often.

I set out to accomplish a goal and before I even begin to achieve it I'm second-guessing myself and become totally overwhelmed by my weaknesses and shortcomings, my lack of skill and knowledge, and my odds of failure (rarely my odds of success!). Before I know it I'm paralyzed and in very real danger of causing my fears to become my reality simply for lack of trying.

As I was taking a walk today, I was thinking about the topic of my previous post--the fact that we're all living on borrowed time. It suddenly occurred to me that tomorrow is not even guaranteed so why am I so caught up in the results of my efforts?

Why not just do my best and leave the results of my efforts in God's hands?

Jesus said, "Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." [Matthew 6:34, NLT]

Borrowed Time

Once there was a little boy who had a serious medical condition. So serious was his condition that he was told the doctor would have to amputate his leg to save his life. This, of course, was troubling as it would be even for the bravest of little boys. That boy prayed a special prayer and asked God to save his life and his leg, and if God did then he would become a missionary and share about God to others in far away lands.

God answered the boy's prayer. His mother decided to take him to a different doctor and he was able to perform a painful medical procedure yet was able to cure the boy's leg and save his life.

That boy grew up, married, became a doctor, and had a family of his own. Eventually he remembered his promise to God and made preparations to become a missionary doctor in Africa. For almost twenty years he served in Africa.

Then a strange and unexpected thing happened.

He discovered he had an awful disease called cancer. He received extensive treatment. Eventually, however, it did finally take his life, but not before the doctors had to amputate his leg. He was 54 years old when God took him home.

Who was this little boy who became a missionary doctor? He was my grandfather.

The other day I was thinking about his story full of so much life and, seemingly, tragic irony. It occurred to me that Dr. Bill had been living on borrowed time his entire life. The glorious truth is that while he lived his life on borrowed time he lived it to the fullest! He started a family, started a mission, and shared God's love with countless lives. 

He lived an abundant life!

His life verse and motto spoken by Jesus was:

"I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work." [John 9:4]

Dr. Bill's life is a reminder that none of us know how long we will live and the truth is that none of us are guaranteed even one more day. If you think about it, Dr Bill's entire family line wouldn't even exist if God had not answered his prayer! It is arguable that God changed the course of history simply because little Billy asked Him to!

No matter the challenges we face in life, may we never forget the Giver of Life and the gift we've been blessed to receive. 

May we always remember we are all living on borrowed time and that today and every gift in it is a precious miracle.