Another Day: 30
Friday, November 7, 2008
Another day,
30. The number informs us of a price, a score, a date, an address. It can hit reverse and take us back in time: that many years ago. It guides thoughts forward to plan a month from today.
Last month I enjoyed the 30 Year Reunion of my high school class. I know, I know...that almost sounds like I graduated from high school 30 years ago. It does sound that way. For good reason. Three decades have passed since our senior class waved goodbye to those days.
I loved seeing so many friends. I almost said "old friends," but I didn't; it could have presented a double meaning. We laughed and ate and talked and remembered -- though this mind of mine doesn't remember many of the events my friends described.
The day before that reunion, I spoke to a group of high school students at the place where 30 years ago we were moving forward. I talked to them about what might happen in the next 30 years. And 30 months. And 30 weeks. And 30 days. And 30 seconds.
Do we realize what we do in 30 seconds can change our paths for the next 30 years? A decision, a comment, a choice. Saying yes or saying no. Walking toward or walking from.
Do we realize how we spend the next 30 days will guide us toward the next 30 weeks and months and years? That number won't leave my mind. I guess because I've seen so many of us fail to realize the importance of what one choice or one month can do to many lives.
This week at Emmanuel our guest speaker also mentioned the number 30. Chuck Quinley invited us to enter a 30 day trial run of praying for and seeking to influence a friend. To rescue them. To love them. To bring them home.
What if you pray for someone over the next 30 days like you've never prayed for them before? What if you actually pray during these next 30 days like never before? Possibly, God might do things like He has never done before.
It might take Him 30 years to do it. Or maybe 30 weeks. We don't know.
But let's experience a reunion with God. 30 years from now and 30 days from now we will be glad we did.
And God will also be glad.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Prayerful Surrender: Lord, send me to someone who needs Your help. (Chuck Quinley)



