Transformation Part 3: Precious Moments Forsaken

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. With that said, it's impossible to know the mind of God. I just got off the phone with my dad and I found out a distant cousin passed away last night at the young age of 23. I can't say that I'm torn over the situation as I barely knew him. At most, I saw him during the annual family Christmas party.

Despite how little we interacted, his death sits heavily upon my heart. He was a great guy. He did well in school and got a scholarship to play soccer in college. He recently found a job in this messy economy. By all worldly standards, he was extremely successful. However, life comes down to just one thing: is Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life? It would be of great comfort to know this but I can't say. Like I said, I barely knew him.

I continually have the opportunity to engage people in spiritual conversations but I rarely take the chance to. I always think that there is a tomorrow or a tomorrow after tomorrow. I go to bed each night expecting to see the same faces the next day and for that matter, I usually do. I need to stop doing that. Like is says in the book of James, tomorrow is not promised.

Transformation. As a Christian, our lives should be marked by change. We are instructed to love our neighbors but what does that look like? Love desires the best for another person. To love others would manifest itself in a desire to make Christ known. Jesus is the best thing that can happen to a person. I know this is going to sound forceful but I believe that to be the truth as a Christian. If Jesus were to come back tomorrow, the reality is that many of the people that we know and love would be caught on the wrong side of the fence. I don't want to turn this into the whole..."Oh man, what if I just shared with him?" conversation because it is ultimately God that changes lives and not the words that I speak but seriously, stop and think for a moment. Doors that are open today may not be open tomorrow.

Life is too short to focus on things that don't matter. Love others as Jesus loved you. Desire for the lost to become found, that we may one day rejoice with them in heaven, praising the one and only true God.

I know this blog seems extremely random. My mind is drowning in a symphony of thoughts and emotions right now.

Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise