… about What Matters Most (from The Purpose Driven Life)
Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That’s why we’re given a lifetime to learn it. Relationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life. Love leaves a legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth.
I have been at the bedside of many people in their final moments, when they stand on the edge of eternity, and I have never heard anyone say, “Bring me my diplomas! I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medals, that gold watch I was given.” When life on earth is ending, people don’t surround themselves with objects. What we want around us is people – people we love and have relationships with.
In our final moments we all realize that relationships are what life is all about. One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships. In heaven God won’t say, “tell me about your career, your bank account, and your hobbies.” Instead he will review how you treated other people, particularly those in need. When you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you’re taking with you is your character.
The importance of things can be measured by how much time we are willing to invest in them. The more time you give to something, the more you reveal its importance and value to you. If you want to know a person’s priorities, just look at how they use their time.
Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can’t make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves. It is focused attention. Love concentrates so intently on another that you forget yourself at that moment. Attention says, “I value you enough to give you my most precious asset – my time.” Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love. You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.
The Bible stresses repeatedly, it says, “whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone. Use every chance you have for doing good. Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.”
Why is now the best time to express love? Because you don’t know how long you will have the opportunity. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. If you want to express love, you had better do it now.
The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.
