Inspire, Spring 2005

6 Spring 2005 I heard a comedian once say, “It’s easy to know when your mid-life begins. Just figure out at what age you are going to die and then divide by two.” I have talked with many “middle- agers” who have a sense of angst about their lives. One of them said to me recently, “I have this feeling I should be doing something else before I die. I just don’t know what it is.” At about middle- age, we all realize that the American scenario of working to have nice homes, new cars, and long vacations just doesn’t provide the sense of fulfillment that was promised. So, some middle-agers want to dive deeper and feel that their lives are making a significant difference in the world. Others just want to do something different with their lives. I think it boils down to two basic truths that the Lord gives us from His Word. The first is to think long-term — long-term as in “eternal.” Anything of value lasts forever. We don’t know what the future holds. We don’t even know what today holds. “Numbering our days” (Psalm 90:12) is important for all of us. The brevity of life on this side of the resurrection only reminds us of the importance of having God’s perspective on our lives. There are no short-term solutions to anything. We should always ask ourselves, “What am I doing that reflects God’s eternal perspective?” Second, think short-term — short-term as in “today.” This is not really a contradiction to thinking eternally. God reminds us that we do live forever, but that eternal life is lived out each day. We are called by God to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). God promises that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24). Jesus reminds us that today presents us with all the challenges we can handle (Matthew 6:34). A faithful life consists of faithful days lived one at a time in light of God’s eternal perspective. Many who make mid-life course corrections recognize the blessing of God to live in a country where we can actually do this. The freedoms we have to choose do not exist in most places around the world. With this great privilege comes responsibility. May God guide us to choose well for His glory! President’s Pen Dr. Bill Brown President What’s Abuzz Cedarville University’s three-day “Shine in the Darkness” Missions Conference concluded on January 13, leaving students with a clearer picture of available missions options and, in many cases, a clearer desire to serve. Approximately 80 missionaries, representing 37 international ministries, shared information about their organizations with students during the week. The missionaries led 28 seminars on a variety of current missions topics, from ministry software and medical missions to aiding children in crisis. Six special presentations by missionaries were a highlight of the conference. On Tuesday morning, students heard the testimony of New Tribes Mission’s Tania Rich, whose husband was held hostage and later killed by Colombian rebels in the 1990s. Tania talked about some of the fears and challenges she has faced since then. “We allow too many things in our lives to hold us hostage,” she noted, citing fear, pride, and anger. She exhorted students to see each day as an opportunity and obey God no matter the circumstances. On Wednesday morning, Grady Toland of Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee blended his original comic songs about missionary life with the message, “Anything you do of value for God will involve sacrifice.” On Thursday morning, Gary Frost, director of the Metro Baptist Association in New York City, gave a passionate call for tender-hearted, intelligent service to God and others. Dr. Ron Cline of HCJB World Radio spoke in the evening presentations. He advised students to walk away from “sloppy living,” share God’s light and love with others, commit to do God’s will, and trust Him to provide. A tremendous response followed, as hundreds of students prayed with missionaries and made commitments to be open to God’s will for their lives. “This year’s Missions Conference has been indescribable,” said Brian Nester, director of Cedarville’s Missions Involvement Services. “The response from the students, missionaries, and even faculty and staff has been overwhelming. We just thank God for what He has done and will continue to do in the hearts and lives of our students.” Audiocassettes, CDs, and DVDs of part or all of the conference are available for purchase by calling the CDR Radio Network at 1-800-333-0601. Next year’s Missions Conference is tentatively scheduled for January 10-12, 2006. Annual Missions Conference Opens Minds and Hearts