The best minute I spend is the one I invest in people.
Ken Blanchard, The One Minute Manager
A Slice of Fresh Bread
Living 2,000 miles from where I went to school, I had never attended a high school or college reunion until this past weekend when I participated in my 35th year college reunion. Reconnecting with people whom I hadn’t seen in decades, remembering events long forgotten and hearing 35 years of joy and pain compressed into four minute conversations brought both delight and introspection.
We all looked old – at least the men. It was fascinating to fast-forward 35 years sharing only the most significant details of our lives from the early 20s through mid 50s. Some people had made deliberate, wise and godly choices, others bore the marks of foolish and painful decisions – sometimes their own and sometimes others. Still others lived with the pain of illness and misfortune from life in a world marred by sin.
Some had enjoyed blessed lives with happy families and financial success. Many more had blessed others with lives of sacrifice and service. The happiest seem to be those who had invested their lives serving God, loving their families and helping others.
Jesus gave the greatest commandments not to limit our lifestyle but to set a course for happy and productive lives. He said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
I couldn’t help but think of Paul’s directive to his friends at Ephesus, Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise. (Ephesians 5:15) Big consequences are the result of many smaller decisions. We make choices and our choices make us. There is too much at stake to foolishly fritter away the great gift of life that God has entrusted to us. And too much to enjoy by following the simple pathway he has prepared for us.
Prayer Requests
- Camps in Azerbaijan are facing the possibility of repressive legislation directed at limiting their work and effectiveness. Please pray that these laws will not be enacted and that the camping ministry in Azerbaijan will grow despite these obstacles.
- Christian camping leaders in Uzbekistan continues to face significant legal challenges to their work. Please pray for their protection and for the courage to continue to share the gospel and to serve God through Christian camping
- CCI-Russia holds its national conference this week. Please pray for a beneficial time of training, networking and inspiration.
- Please pray for those who have attended recent CCI training events that the time and resources invested would benefit campers and guests around the world.
- Please pray for the upcoming CCI-Worldwide board meeting in Panama in April.