What is your life?

James 4:14
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Yesterday I stood in a long line to pay my respects to the family of a young man who was tragically killed while riding a bicycle. My soul ached as I watched high school friends leave with broken hearts and plenty of questions. There were students everywhere. Many were carrying in portraits that they had painted in class of their friend.

One relative said, I can't believe how many students have come from school. He thought he had no friends." What a reminder. You never really know the impact you have on other people.

My prayer for this family and their great loss is that God will use the death of a young man much like he used Samson when he passed away. (Judges 16:25-30) While many were touched with his life while he was living, may many more be touched by God and come to know Christ through this great loss.

Hug your kids today and thank God for their life. Spend some time with your teenager and ask them about their life.

Believing God's Word and that life is a vapor, make the most of today and leave the pain of the past at the foot of the cross. God can handle it.

Shopping

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Recently we came by the new Outlet Mall on opening day, only to discover an unbelievable traffic jam. That told me two things. People like to shop, and people like a good deal. I am the same way to a point. Renee says that I like to shop until I find what I am looking for. After that, I am uninterested ready to go home. Sporting goods, electronics, lawn and garden, hardware, and I'm ready to go.

People shop in all kinds of ways. Some even church shop. We visit and take a look at all a church has to offer, hoping to find one that has the most bang for the buck, for me and my family. After we weigh everything involved, we make our decision. Like retail shopping, sometimes we purchase before we pray about a decision to buy. Think of how costly it could be to join a church without praying about it and seeking the Lord.

I am grateful that as a Christian, I have discovered the greatest deal ever offered in the history of mankind. Jesus died for my sins so that I could have a relationship with a Holy God. The good news is that the offer is still available.

You might be searching and shopping for the answer to life, and you might be frustrated and desperate thinking that you'll never find it.

The good news is that the search can be over. Jesus Christ is the answer! You don't have to shop for a Savior anymore. Invite Him into your heart today. He is patiently waiting to come in.