One of my favorite lessons from the Bible is found in the Old Testament. The backstory: after doing many years of less than honorable things and then a good 14 years of (mostly) honorable things, Jacob is preparing to meet his brother. This was a big deal, you see, because on the list of ‘less than honorable things’ was stealing said brother’s blessing from his dying father (I know, right?!).
So, at one point during his travels Jacob instructs his family to trek on ahead without him. He spends the night alone. Personally, I think he had some soul searching to do. That night he wrestled with God and would not let him go until He blessed him (now, that’s tenacity folks!). Finally, God said “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” (Gen 32: 22-32). I want to be that stubborn in my relationship with God.
There were times when Jesus gave people a name change.
Saul became Paul…after he was radically converted from the chief persecutor of Christ-followers to the chief missionary to them.
Simon became Peter…the rock on which Christ would build His church. This name change came about when Simon recognized who Jesus was – Son of the living God.
So why the name change of the blog? The simple answer is found in the definitions below…
Consider: to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision; contemplate; reflect on.
Eternity: infinite time; duration without beginning or end.
The slightly expanded answer: About eight months ago a little project formed in response to something I felt prompted to do (more than 10 years later, but you know what they say…). LivingaLifethatCounts.com was the result. I felt like “Living a Life that Counts” captured the essence of the message I hoped to share.
After a bit more time has passed though, I realize that isn’t enough. See, I believe, from a place of very deep conviction, that this life is only a blink in comparison to that which is ahead of us. I also believe that the way we live today very directly impacts and influences that future. To that end, I’m not interested in simply promoting a live life with purpose just because you’re here and you can kind of message but rather a live life with purpose…because YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT kind of message. Does that make sense?
So, here we are. You. Me. And anyone else who wants to join us on this journey. I believe that God truly has set eternity in every human heart. And it is from that place that we seek to understand our existence and why it matters. …how our day to day choices, interactions, thoughts, words, beliefs, etc. play a role in shaping our lives and the lives of those around us.
If eternity is a real thing (and I believe 100% that it is), than those things are important to consider – every day and in every way. Let’s make it count!
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart;
yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Ecc 3:11
