Spoiler alert, I have not located the "fountain of youth". Second spoiler alert, you don't have to physically live forever to live "on" forever. Today's inspiration focuses on what we need to do to accomplish the latter as opposed to the elusive search for Ponce de Leon's fount. If you want to live (on) forever, I believe I have some sound advice on how to get there, let's go!
Plant seeds. "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:8. My sister and brother-in-law recently visited one of the Redwood forests out west, an area to visit on my bucket list. Not only are these trees enormous, their longevity is note-worthy as well. Trees can live hundreds of years giving them the appearance of living forever, yet unfortunately even the Redwood tree has a life-span. The key to the Redwood not becoming extinct is found in the seeds it bears and the eventual sapling it produces. The same is true for farmers who plant seeds, nurture the plants, harvest the crops, and then start the process over again. Farmers do not plant seeds one time and believe their job is done. It is definitely a cycle that must be continued over and over again. That same principle holds true for us in our endeavor to live forever. As Christ followers, we plant seeds each day and that process is endless much like the farmer's role in the cycle of planting, nurturing, and harvesting. As parents, coaches, teachers, workers, supervisors, or any other leadership role you might possess, we are tasked with planting seeds of hope, resilience, commitment, empathy, and love. Of course love is going to top off the list (I Corinthians 13:13). Love covers a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8) and love is the core factor in nurturing others to become marathon life timers. We do not literally live forever, but those seeds you plant will be eternal if we teach those we live and work with the concept of planting seeds of love and hope.
Impact the world you live in. In what community do you live? Hint, don't think small. You may live in an apartment complex, a subdivision, a neighborhood, or you may live in a rural community where everyone there knows each other's name. You may focus on your job and the people you work with each day. For some their community consists of the members of their immediate family. For others, the term community brings visions of cities, the state they live in, or even their country or the global community in which we reside. Whatever you deem as your community what is the impact you are making? If you've been following Flat Tire Ministries for any length of time, you most likely understand my take on impact. We are all leaders, how effective and eternal that impact is going to be rests on whether your engagement in their lives is positive and life-building, or negative and sucks the life out of everyone you come in contact with. To live on forever, make your impact a positive one. Your impact will in turn impact others perpetually.
Make the legacy you are living a positive one. Similar to impact, but a legacy is eternal in itself. What I taught and continue to teach my children are traits and qualities I learned from my father, and those same qualities will be the traits and qualities my children pass down to my grandchildren. Our grandkids will have children someday, and the influence they have on their children will come directly from the life I lived and the importance I placed on certain aspects of living a life well lived. That is how our legacy allows us to live on forever. Your legacy may primarily influence your family, but I believe we can create a legacy in the workplace, in our communities, and around the world. When I think of a legacy model the world renowned evangelist Billy Graham crosses my peripheral vision. Billy Graham's career spanned over 60 years touching the lives of millions of people around the world. Today, Billy Graham's five children are all directly involved in ministry and serving God in their communities. The legacy Pastor Graham cemented in Christ continues to endure, allowing him to in essence, "live on" forever!
What an awesome and amazing responsibility we carry. We have the opportunity to live on forever through the seeds we plant in the lives of others, by the impact we have on those we interact with each day, and by our legacy which we are creating through our words, actions, and the life we live. Don't take this responsibility lightly. "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life." I Timothy 1:16. Your life matters today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.
Coach Carter
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