"If you hear the Gospel and it does not bless you, hear it again. If you read the Word of God and it has not saved you, read it again. It has the power to save your soul! [...] Oh if men would search for salvation as though it was hidden treasure!" (Charles Spurgeon)
This morning, like most mornings, I sat looking at my face in the mirror. About every two-three days I notice that it is time to take the razor and give myself a good, clean shave. Since I care about my appearance, and my comfort, I chose to take the razor and pare down the growing hairs on my cheek and neck. However, this day was different than most. As I looked in the mirror, I stopped and examined myself. I don't know if you have ever done this before, but if you have did you ever look into your own eyes? Have you ever stared into your own eyes and asked the question... what am I building with my life?
I remember this was one of my favorite things to do when I was in high school. I would stand in front of the bathroom mirror and look myself in the eye. Most times this was because I was practicing for a part I had in a play but other times I asked myself the above mentioned question. James uses this illustration in the first chapter of his epistle. He exhorts believers to look into the mirror and examine themselves, essentially to see if their life is matching up with the faith they proclaim.
As I think about my own life, I often wonder if my life is matching the faith I proclaim. While at the youthful age of 27, I concede I am not old at all, I also realize that I am not as young as I once was. I have completed two degrees in higher education, I have made many friendships and built relationships with people around the country, I have traveled all over the world, and yet I still am asking myself the question- what am I building with my life? Is my life matching up with my faith? What will be my legacy?
My father was a great man. So was my grandfather. I have a picture of them next to my bed. In fact it is a picture of all the men who bear my namesake. The Robert Philip Erbig's... of which I am the fourth and only remaining. As I look at myself in the mirror that question continues to infect my heart. I want to live a life that makes a difference. I want my life to be characterized by a humble dependence on my Savior where he gets the Glory for everything that I do. I want my legacy to be one where Jesus is seen through my actions and life. I think that's what James was talking about in the first chapter of his letter to the church.
Has anyone else asked themselves this question? If you are reading this I hope that it challenges you to strive towards a life that builds a legacy for Jesus. He is the only thing that matters. His grace is something that should drive us to our knees and cause us to respond in humble obedience. We should seek him with our very lives! When we do that- his legacy is secured in us.
I remember this was one of my favorite things to do when I was in high school. I would stand in front of the bathroom mirror and look myself in the eye. Most times this was because I was practicing for a part I had in a play but other times I asked myself the above mentioned question. James uses this illustration in the first chapter of his epistle. He exhorts believers to look into the mirror and examine themselves, essentially to see if their life is matching up with the faith they proclaim.
As I think about my own life, I often wonder if my life is matching the faith I proclaim. While at the youthful age of 27, I concede I am not old at all, I also realize that I am not as young as I once was. I have completed two degrees in higher education, I have made many friendships and built relationships with people around the country, I have traveled all over the world, and yet I still am asking myself the question- what am I building with my life? Is my life matching up with my faith? What will be my legacy?
My father was a great man. So was my grandfather. I have a picture of them next to my bed. In fact it is a picture of all the men who bear my namesake. The Robert Philip Erbig's... of which I am the fourth and only remaining. As I look at myself in the mirror that question continues to infect my heart. I want to live a life that makes a difference. I want my life to be characterized by a humble dependence on my Savior where he gets the Glory for everything that I do. I want my legacy to be one where Jesus is seen through my actions and life. I think that's what James was talking about in the first chapter of his letter to the church.
Has anyone else asked themselves this question? If you are reading this I hope that it challenges you to strive towards a life that builds a legacy for Jesus. He is the only thing that matters. His grace is something that should drive us to our knees and cause us to respond in humble obedience. We should seek him with our very lives! When we do that- his legacy is secured in us.
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