Sleep in September.....

I am constantly reminded that our time on earth is short and that there is work to do here for the kingdom. I worked at a Christian ranch for a couple of summers and the ranch owner and leader affectionately reminded the staff that we had work to do, and that we could, "Sleep in September" (when we all returned to college). He was right, this life is not meant to be lived preserving ourselves and seeking as much comfort and rest as possible, this is not our home, but we are going home. This is the time to help others go with us and more importantly help them understand their deepest need and original purpose in creation: to know and love their Savior Jesus Christ and realize they were created for relationship with Him.

I think Carrie McDonnell, a middle east missionary who was attacked in Northern Iraq, losing her husband and three other friends in the incident, said it best at the end of her book Facing Terror:

"The world is not our place of rest; it is a time to work and follow hard after Jesus. When we get home, we can rest. But for now, God is calling His children to share the gospel of the cross, the power of our Holy Father; it's time we obediently follow Him. May we all live our lives in a manner worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. May we live lives we will never regret."