A NEW PURPOSE IN LIFE!
As we all go back to work, whatever our jobs may be, let us have a new purpose for our lives this year. Keeping in mind that everything is transient, we cannot leave this world with any of it. We work to better ourselves and to better the lives of our family. But in doing so, if we don’t nurture the very family we are trying to make a better life for, we have failed.
People may or may not know that I began my writing career as a poet. I was even in a poetry club in high school, which even seems a bit extreme to me now. I was a published poet long before I ever wrote my children’s books, and poetry still has a special part in my heart. For those of you who read my blogs often, will remember I often introduce songs to drive home a point that I’m trying to make. Songs are essentially poems put to music. The reason I bring this up is because I would like to introduce a poem written in the 19th century by Charles Thomas Studd.
Only One Life
By C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
To summarize the jest of the poem is; everything in this life will pass. We must be careful of how much credence or value we put on the material things in our life. The truth of the matter is, you came into this life with nothing but your soul, and you will leave it with nothing, but your soul. Your relationship with God and your family are the most important things.
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:17-23
As parents we must be vigilant in the upbringing of our children to know what is important in this life. To raise them in; the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4c
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
It is easy to let the transient things of this life take precedence in our lives, but teaching your children to be thankful for the bounty, God has bestowed them, of the things in their lives should be our number one priority.
We as writers are influenced by our favorite authors, and yes songs. It is important to be a writer who will pierce holes in the darkness of this world, by encouraging people to be the best they can be, because our eternity depends on it!