Yesterday, I experienced a wonderful, few minutes when I happened to turn the TV on to a newscast of President Trump awarding the “Presidential Medal of Honor” to former Coach, Newscaster, and Author, Lou Holtz. If you know anything about Lou Holtz, you remember a savvy coach, an insightful, well-spoken, popular television analyst, as well as a prolific Christ-based author all done on a canvas of humor and wisdom. In his brief acceptance speech, he sagely pointed America to the two most eventful days in each of our lives: the day you are born and the day you realize why you are born.
The first eventful day is obvious but the second eventful day is missed by many of us. The majority have selfish motives acting and reacting to life based on how it affects “me.” Coach Holtz is not talking about self-empowerment but the day that you discover that life is not all about me, myself, and mine. It is the day that you fall in love with Jesus inviting Him into your heart making Him the Lord of your life learning to serve Him and others.
The Apostle John records a discussion between Jesus and an analytical skeptic who later became one of the twelve core disciples, “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:5&6). Jesus is the “why” of life.
A Pharisee (an oppositional religious leader) asked Jesus,“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:34-39). The 2nd most important day in your life is a calling to love God and others sacrificially. This emanates from Jesus living in your heart in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The “why” of life is Jesus. Now, what He wants you to do is described in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” You know “why”, now, become a light to others.
Barnabas Man 