Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. When I met with the Author and Perfector of my Faith to Nourish my soul for the day, it felt more like Spring than late Fall. I took in every ounce of the beauty around me as if I could store it all up to sustain me through the Winter…but it doesn’t work that way. I kept turning my face toward the sun to absorb all that I could before the winter as if I could bank it for another time…but it doesn’t work that way. When I opened my eyes to look at the sun that felt so good on my face, all I could see was a cross. I couldn’t snap a photo fast enough as if I was at risk of “losing” it if the clouds changed…but it doesn’t work that way. The reflection in the sky will come and go but the one Constant I can count on is the Cross, and it’s what the Cross represents that keeps me going day after day. Isn’t that the way you look at the Cross too?

When you consider how we cling to things in this life that we know will disappear one day, it’s a little bizarre. As much as I wanted to bank the warmth this morning, it’s not possible to hold onto it, and as spectacular as the image of the sun was, it was here one minute and gone the next. In Ecclesiastes, it says, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” The key is “under the sun”. Soloman didn’t mean that these things lack value, what he meant is that there is no everlasting value outside of God. All human efforts apart from God are meaningless and just chasing after the wind. My kids have grown to be strong and beautiful and I savored the entire journey. I have every experience embedded in my heart and I rewind the tape often. But of all the beautiful experiences, within all of the beautiful memories, the true significance of that season of my Life was to raise up a godly generation. Everything else was fun and fulfilling and the greatest honor I’ve ever had…but “meaningless” compared to the Eternal significance of my Temporary Role.

Some people think I’m too intense because my Focus is almost always on the Cross. They think I need to “chill out” and that I need to “have more fun” because “life is short.” Oh…if they could only see inside my Heart they’d see how Joy overflows and how I’m having the time of my Life doing the Work of the King. I’ve got the Cross front and center and I’m running the race of my Life! I’m focused on Eternal things more than anything and I pay far more attention to the condition of the Heart than I do the condition of the weather. I can “see” Glory just up ahead and my life is just a “vapor” here on earth. The time is short for me to complete my Purpose before He calls me Home. I’m no expert, but I believe my Time in Eternity will outshine any “fun” activity the world has ever seen and I’m hoping to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” when the King of all kings calls me Home. If I want to hear these Words from the One who died for me, then I need to be sure that I’m Living for Him…and that takes laser Focus on the Cross.

Paul said it best: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but to all who crave His appearing”

How about you?