You've heard the quote, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Really?
These words tug at our sentiments, but stop and evaluate them for a moment. Is the summation of life simply going from one big GASP to another? It seems a bit narcissistic, doesn't it?
Yesterday our church family celebrated the life of our founding Senior Pastor, David Nicholas. Sitting with 1500 people at his memorial service and listening to those whose lives he touched shed new light on "life." The same can be said for reading the large number of notes from individuals, including this one from a friend and ministry partner in India:
"This Sunday, January 30, 2011, as you have a Memorial Service for Pastor David, ten thousand saints will be joining you from India in saying good bye to Pastor David and in praising God for the great things God has done in India through him, and his vision and commitment to preach the Bad News and the Good News, and to plant many churches in India. Pastor David strongly reinforced Church Planting work in India since the day we met in 1989. I can confidently say that the reason why we have planted more than 60 churches during the last 20 years was due to his support and prayers." Khen Tombing
Writing to the church at Colosse, the Apostle Paul said, If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.[1]
David loved to quote Paul's words, "When Christ who is your life." When Christ is your life, your life begins to mirror His: giving becomes more important than receiving and serving becomes more important than being served. It is that kind of Christ-centered, other-directed life that creates a twenty-year partnership, helps to plant 60 churches in India, and impacts 10,000 saints.
Now that takes my breath away!
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1 Colossians 3:1-4 ESV