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Topic: Measure (01/10/13)
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TITLE: The Measure of a Man | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ron Barnes
01/16/13 -
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I am reminded of the story of the man who led a Godly life and had accumulated a great deal of wealth. One night, he had a dream in which God came to him and said, “You have been my good and faithful servant all your life. Tell me your fondest wish and I will grant it.”
The man replied, “Lord, when I die, I want to take my wealth with me.”
The Lord replied, “So be it.”
Eventually, the man did die and Saint Peter sees him approaching the pearly gates dragging an enormous bag of gold bricks. Saint Peter says to the man, “Welcome. We’ve been expecting you and you are certainly welcome. But one thing puzzles me. Why have you gone to so much trouble just to bring us more paving stones?”
For others, the measure is their artistic, scientific or scholarly accomplishments. I have written music. I have developed educational material and published web sites. I have received a great deal of positive feedback from these efforts and enjoyed creating them. But these things would have no value if they did not benefit others. I am reminded of what one of my professors told me when I was studying adult education. He said that the measure of an adult educator is how many of his students surpass him. I am also reminded of my father, who once told me that the only things you get to keep in life are the things you give away.
Perhaps this is the true measure of our time on this planet. If I leave this world no better than I found it, what was the point of my being here? I believe our Father had a purpose in sending me here. Throughout my life, he has guided me to opportunities to use the resources he has provided to enrich others. Whether it was equipping people for profitable careers in the classroom, providing examples of sober behavior as I performed in bars, sharing spiritual thoughts through my ministry or helping my wife deal with physical challenges, my greatest joy has always been seeing the effects of my efforts in enriching the lives of others.
If I were to have the same dream as the one mentioned above, my fondest wish would be when I am finally face to face with our Father, He would smile at me and say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Now here’s your next assignment.”
To which I will reply, “Thank you, Father. I’m on it.”
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