An Unpromised Tomorrow....

Time. A thing I've been thinking a lot about lately. With recent events, Christina Grimmie being shot, a mass shooting, it's made me think a lot. First off, my heart is broken for everyone effected by these tragedies. When someone dies because of sickness, or other natural causes it's really sad. But when I hear situations where people's lives are taken from them it's sad, to me, on a whole other level. I think of the sadness it brings me when I hear about such tragedies as these, and I can't even imagine the pain those who actually experienced or saw it first hand. Or even the heartache the family/friends of those whose lives were taken. 

Through the sadness though, I know there is purpose in the pain. There is strength in the sorrow.  Strength that will help to make it through these hard times, when at times I know it feels like you have nothing left. And even though we may never know why these things have happened, I know that there is a reason. That our sovereign God is in control. And that He has a purpose for everything that happens. Through the bad, through the good, through everything He is on the throne. He is good, all the time.

Secondly, these recent events have reminded me that none of us are promised tomorrow. Many times I feel like many of us tend to think about "when we get old....", "when I'm older......", "in a couple years when I....." you fill in the blank. But we are all guilty of it. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's important to remember that our time on earth is limited. And tomorrow isn't promised. 

"Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without a passion."

I don't want to go through life living it without a purpose. I don't want my life on this earth to be wasted. At the end of my life I want to be satisfied with how I lived my life. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, I want to give glory to God every day in everything I do. I want to be an encourager. I want to use my talents for His kingdom. I want to love others as Christ loves me. I want to live for something bigger than the here & now. I want to live to further His kingdom. I want to be a life-changer. Not a time-waster.

Live every day with that purpose. Don't waste your life. Don't forget that tomorrow is never promised. My thoughts and prayers are with those in Orlando. 

~ Joel

Here we go.....again.

Well, here goes the whole "Joel's starting a blog thing" again. Now would be an appropriate time to roll your eyes. But seriously, this is my third time doing this. Third times a charm though, right? I've always had a passion for writing, my dream one day is to have a book published, although right now that's exactly what it is. A dream. But I always liked the idea of blogging, the problem is keeping committed to writing blog posts. So, I need accountability people. Feel free to punch me in the arm (I was about to say face but I'm sure many people would actually take me up on that) if I give up on this. Please keep encouraging me to keep blogging. You could also help me by giving me topics to blog about. Well, the first blog post is always the weirdest I suppose so I'll just wrap this up by saying thanks for reading this not-so-great post and here's to (Lord-willing) many more blog posts! 

Until Next Time,

Joel