I was profoundly moved, and could certainly relate. About a decade ago I had a near-death experience when I was told I might not survive and spent the next 45 minutes in an ambulance making sure everyone riding with me knew of the saving grace of Christ.
When sharing the first story above, a friend listening said, "Yeah, that's the dash. What are you doing with your dash?" He was referring to the poem by Linda Ellis called The Dash, about the dash between the birth and death years on a gravestone (which you can read here). It's a precious convicting poem reminding us what is important in our lives. But I think my friend facing cancer has the true meaning of the dash figured out perfectly. It's not about our wealth, being a success in the workplace, awards and accolades ... it's about furthering the Kingdom, period. That comes about with love in our actions, certainly, as spoken in "The Dash" poem, but also in "telling" of the love of God, sharing our testimonies, speaking of the forgiveness God offers us through His Son. That is our most important job, and Jesus reminded us of that with his last words before leaving Earth "Go therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)
During my devotion time a day ago, I was reading Mark and rereading the parable of the sower for the upteenth time. Sometimes when I get to these stories, I kinda gloss over them since I've read them so very often. But this day, I read it slowly, absorbing all God wanted me to learn from it. Jesus speaks of a farmer scattering seed, some of which falls on the path, quickly eaten by birds; some on rocky places with little soil, so plants have no root and wither; some on good soil producing a crop multiplied by 30, 60 or even 100. But the seeds that got me, were the ones thrown among the thorns, choked and unable to produce fruit. Jesus says in Mark 4:18-19: "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."I never related to these seeds. I kinda put myself in with the seeds on good soil producing a bountiful crop. But the Lord convicted me that day. I've certainly spent a portion of my time as the seed among the thorns, desiring things of this earth rather than the company of my Father and fulfilling His mission for me. And I thought for a moment about all the time I've wasted. Good heavens, there have been some unfruitful times in my life.
Perhaps as I'm in this "middle age" of life (that is if the Lord has me live into my 90's), I am re-evaluating my time. How have I been fruitful today? Have I told anyone about Christ? Have I encouraged a soul this day? Have I reached out to a friend in need? Have I spent moments in solitude with my Creator God?
When facing the certainty of death ... oh, and it most certainly is there waiting for all of us every moment ... our outlook, our values and goals get a bit tweaked.
So I've learned a couple things: 1) don't gloss over the Word - it's living and God has more to reveal; and 2) don't waste an opportunity to talk about Christ, not one moment, because there are many, many who need Him.
It's time I pull out these thorns.
