Making Your Life Count

I have always been fascinated by stories of men and women who gave their all for the good, and sometimes evil of the rest of humanity. From Adolf Hitler, Musolini, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr to mention but a few, these men lived for the passions of making their lives count in some way, either good or bad. During the 2nd World war precisely on the 10th of May 1940, Kind George VI summoned Sir Winston Churchill to lead his beloved Birtain against the enemy that threatened Europe.

Churchill confidently accepted the challenge. He later recounted that he felt he was walking with destiny, and that all his past life had been but a preparation for that hour and that trail. Jesus too, had a magnificent obsession. He found himself consumed by a compelling sense of divine providence, and each day of his life drew him closer to a fulfillment of his earthly mission: that of surrending himself for humanity's sake at Calvary's cross.

Like these men, we too have a mission on earth. As I pondered on these thoughts, a book written by the late Kenneth E. Hagin titled "Plans, Purposes and Pursuits" came to my mind. I had read this piece of literature some eight years ago and the message continually linger in my mind. I have a mission, a purpose and a plan to pursue.

"For you are his workmanship (handiwork) created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has beforehand ordained that we should walk in them" Eph 2:10

Paul, Peter and the rest of the apostles made their lives count. Other men of God today are making their lives count. They understand what it means to be God's handiwork, and have dedicated their lives to seeing that the purposes for which they've been created and called, are fulfilled. The onus thus lie with many of us; are we making our lives count? Are we following God's plan for our lives or ours?

Poetry for His Mercy

I am addicted to Poetry! At least it's one endeavour of humanity that reveals a bit about how intelligent the mind can be stretched when we allow our God-given abilities to be put to work. Since discovering that I have the gift, I have not seized to follow after greater minds and works of other reknowned poets. Sometimes I wonder what am doing pursuing a career in the sciences when it's obvious that my natural inclinations tend towards arts, literature and nature. I guess that's some food for my thoughts.

Lately I have been reading after some poets, especially those whose work covey the depths of the meaning of Christianity. They have been a blessing to my life, teaching me how to carve words into meaningful use, and reminding me of the darkness our Lord went through to save humanity as well as the dawn of his glorious resurrection and ascention to proclaim victory over death, sin and the law to bridge the gap that existed as a result of the fall at Eden, between God and man.

The Twelfth-century monk, Bernard of Clairvaux paints a vivid picture of redemption in poetry. I like this and thought to share. Read on...

What thou, my Lord has suffered
Was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression
But thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my saviour!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
Look on me with thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest friend,
For thus Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever;
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.