Monday February 19, 2024

Today is Monday, February 19 and we are learning what the Bible says about leaving a legacy.

In the morning I turn to God and ask him to fulfill his plans and purposes for my upcoming day. I relinquish my cares, concerns and requests into his mighty hands and trust him with every detail of my comings and goings.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, I worship you in the stillness of the dawning day and seek your abiding presence. With each breath I inhale your loving kindness and exhale my worries and fears. Open the ears of my heart to receive the specific message you have for me. Amen.

I rejoice in God’s goodness and praise him with the words of Psalm 103.

From everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:17-19

Pause and Pray

The passing of time is a reality which none of us can escape. We only have one life to live. All of us want to live lives that matter. We want our lives to make a difference, to stand for something. We want to leave a legacy. This morning I consider what legacy I will leave behind. Matthew chapter 25 contains Jesus’ teachings on the kingdom of God. He tells three parables to explain what the kingdom of God is like and how we are to live until the end of the age. The first parable tells the tale of the wise and foolish virgins who are running out of time. Will I live my life wisely or foolishly?

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” Matthew 25:1-9

Life has two inevitable boundaries – a date of birth and a date of death. We do not know how many days, months or years will be in-between the date of birth and the date of death. What we do with the time in-between is completely up to us. However much time there was yesterday, today there are twenty-four hours less to live. Time is a commodity. I only have one life to live. How I use my time during my life is my choice. Every day, every hour, every minute holds infinite possibilities.

Ask: How am I investing my life? What legacy do I want to leave after I am gone?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, teach me how to live. Show me what I have to invest in your kingdom, how to make a difference in the world and bless the lives of others. Remind me of the time, talents and treasures I have to give and let me use them well. I want to be a good steward of the resources you provide and live faithfully before my time runs out. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” Matthew 25:1-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Of the ten virgins, five are described as foolish and five are described as wise. The five foolish bridesmaids assumed they had enough oil to keep their lamps lit, but the oil ran out. They ran out of time. It was too late. People often assume they have all the time in the world. I falsely believe I have plenty of time to tend to certain matters: rebuild a broken relationship, offer a word of gratitude, extend the grace of forgiveness, deepen my relationship with God, love my spouse, care for a family member, spend time with a child or help someone in need. I might put off today what can presumably be done tomorrow. However, as in so many things in life, time is of the essence.

Pause and Pray

Come Lord Jesus, speak to my soul and reveal your truth. Show me when I am being wise and when I am being foolish. Whatever time I have left in this world, help me invest it in loving others and doing good. Teach me what it means to keep my lamp lit and shine your light in the lives of others. Amen.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Luke 12:35-36

I leave this time of prayer full of God’s grace, I go to invest my time, talents and treasures into the lives of others.

Amen