Psalm 39:4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

Recently I heard a young person say that they lacked motivation to move forward with their life because one day they would die anyway. I realize that we all have times when we look at the state of things in this world, and sometimes in our own lives, and wonder, “What’s the point?”, but does this mean that we just stop living? No. We are to be intentional with our time here.

I remember being the same age as this young person. I also remember having the same kind of hopeless thoughts. I wondered what contribution I could possibly have in this world and if it would matter in the end. And, looking back on my life and how I’ve grown from then until now, I can tell you; it matters.

If I had to write a letter to the person I was around the time of this young person I would tell myself these things:

  •  First, don’t be the person you think others expect you to be. Know your dreams and act on them. The people who are your friends today will either not be your friends in twenty years or they will have pursued their dreams without giving you and yours a second thought.
  • Second, if you find that you feel like you are stuck in a particular place or situation, change your place or situation. There is nothing holding you back in this life but you and your mind-set.
  • Third, if you do step out and give your dreams a try, and they fail, learn the lesson. No matter how dark your cloud, there is always a silver lining. There is always a lesson to be learned from any situation. Things in your past are not mistakes if you can learn from them and grow.
  •  Fourth and final, and this is the biggie, stand firm in your faith. This world will throw lies at you at the speed of light, and because you are the minority in your thought process, you will be made to feel as if you are wrong. You’re not. Stand apart even if that means you must stand alone.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

James 4:14 says that we are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. There’s not much time from the days of our youth until the day we check out. Make it count. Mind the gap.

Much love,

Shari

Narrow Path