I write this the very day after celebrating my 43rd. Not out, of course, otherwise this would be a little freaky to be reading; let alone writing.
We are still very much too terrestrial.
Yesterday amounted to one manic Monday in my world, to jive a tune, befitting my years and decades. There is little like these real boundary-marker-type-experiences; obvious terminal indicators; pressing toward your approaching eternal flight-path, especially when you literally feel-the-present-effects of physical decay.
The joys of wandering in a still barren-from-existential-sinless-fullness, which is this present landscape, yet awaiting the glorious future. At such times, we press-in-to-press-on, recognising our own inability to better see His ability to work beyond our present predicament, is not actually definitional.
Thank God He is!
At such a time, I was reminded of a portion out of the copious text-of-words, which I had previously edited-out of the early chapters; as you do; when you are writing words-without-end. My living context sharpened this reminder, which I now pass on, for your present-to-future consumption.
This accounting begins with a man I had never heard of, or about, until I read a thumb sketch about his life – William Borden.
Some details to set his life scene:
William Borden was already wealthy when he graduated from a Chicago high school in 1904; he was the heir to his family’s massive fortune. For his graduation present, William’s parents gave him a trip that would take him around the world, to countries whose suffering he never could have imagined within the confines of his comfortable life. [1]
Borden was heir to the Borden Inc fortune. Again, at my corner of the globe, this does not mean as much. But I oogled an online search engine, which helped. I bet you can now guess through who. I think I just made up a verb for this process. Probably not original. Nothing new and all.
It is easy to consider the many positive opportunities to make a difference in light of this financial future resource. I know I have many ideas about how to make the most. Given the historical moment of defined time, Borden’s experience must have been so much personally more; given the then relative disconnection between Continents, and the described suffering beyond his then wildest imagines.
What would come to define his life and times would not be any monetary security, but the demands of the Gospel, reflective in this encapsulation below:
William’s all-out dedication to making his life matter is reflected in a story that circulated after his death. According to the story, William had jotted down resolutions in the back of his Bible each time he faced key decisions in his life. The first, when he decided to become a missionary: “No reserves.” The second, when he rejected the high-paying job offers: “No retreats.” And the last, before his death: “No regrets.” [2]
As you are reading, you can easily assume these must have been the longer-term reflections of a man who had witnessed life a bit like Solomon. It is easy to assume that Borden’s life amounted to numerous decades, when in fact, he would die in Egypt aged 25. The promising allure of youth snatched away? What a waste we say, which has perspective in light of the early promise by our Ancestors, even as we should consider his life witness recorded by a Kiwi in New Zealand in 2018, and what this communicates about value.
His life currency has more than lasted. It has only increased. This detail should appreciate the present existential resonance of his witness, especially for those of us with more age, who have long since waved goodbye to 25.
Are you living present life like your breathing apparatus only has a certain number of gasps left? If in Christ, relax, He has it all sorted.
But still, for now, and again:
No reserves. No retreats. No regrets. [3]
Is this you?
Wherever you are reading in the West, life is likely mostly copacetic, and especially for those residing in the middling of middle-aged, Borden’s choices can seem as foreign as the bygone days of our faded youth.
This can seem like the most contorted uninitiated example of experiential dissonance.
This significance should amount to the real content of Borden’s earthly decisions in light of forever.
Just as when in another country, it is important to know which currency you can use. Borden’s type of sacrificial living can seem more alien to our today where we relatively have-it-all. Similar, you could suggest, to one who has all manner of temporal wealth, but; but; who chose to capitalise where this treasure really counts like the best investment.
You may not presently be able to take what you perceive are “radical-external-steps” to live out God’s call, but the real location where transformed living sprouts and founts, is very much in your beck-and-call. Inside-out-living. This is not about a new stage, but an increasingly new you. Be who you are!
The details about William Borden were recorded in a quirky title by, Robert D. Smith, entitled: 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course For Mastering Your Life Right Now. This title is definitely selling, but even when we do purchase, we can still be rather pick-and-choosey.
At the beginning, Smith explains his philosophy in writing:
I WROTE THIS BOOK SO YOU COULD READ IT QUICKLY. Why? Because today could be your last day. Because life is too short. Because you need to understand what you are about to read immediately. Because asking for more than an hour of your time is truly asking a lot. You have important things to do. Critical tasks to accomplish. Milestones to celebrate. More lives to touch. So read with purpose. Read with a sense of urgency. Read with anticipation. This is not a book to be used for passing the time; it’s a book to be used for squeezing every last day, hour, minute, and second out of life until your life is done and you’ve given, loved, and celebrated all you could. [4]
Like too many options for the middle-aged-man shopping for a new shirt, some reading will find this fitness-check more like a heart-attack. Certain will love the motivational. Others will already be tired of what can experience like a continued stressing of the Christian. I am no noob. My time has tested and stressed these limits.
Whatever side of this divide you reside, Smith begins his chapter on William Borden with the following words, with should help settle many, as I start to bring-this-piece, to-a-close:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12… Life is short. Our days are numbered. Our lives are limited. Life can pass extremely fast. The Bible says that a person’s life is like a breath or vapor (Psalm 39: 4–6). The Bible also says that life is like a shadow that only temporarily appears (Ecclesiastes 6:12). And like a flower that flourishes then quickly withers and fades away (Job 14:2). [5]
Because of the finished Gospel, we can approach and integrate these words from the place of faith, and not fear.
And on this day after my 43rd Birthday, I am reminded of the brevity of this present time. This means I want to increasingly make the most, which amounts to living for Jesus in complete obedience.
This has been further underscored as I have considered the church plant into 2019, and “the how” of this unfolding. In life, there are many obstacles. Too often, we can want to have all these sorted before we are prepared to move. But I believe, the God who defines what is, wants you to be prepared to leave your own Ur of the Chaldees, and commit to the substance of journey, which amounts to trusting in His character and person.
Where is He leading you?
What is stopping you?
Maybe you could join the plant team? Just an idea. You can now stop grinning!
But, you can bet your last dollar that God’s sovereign will, will stop the brakes when we each accelerate according to our predilections, and not His. Been there. This should amount to a realised liberty to trust Him as we walk the road.
Take a step.
No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.
For the Fame of His Name
*******
[1]Robert D. Smith, 20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course For Mastering Your Life Right Now, page 21 [Thomas Nelson, December 31, 2012].
[2] ibid., page 22.
[3] ibid., page 19.
[4] ibid., page xxi.
[5] ibid., page 14.