[Shepherd’s Words 4] Life is too short to drink bad coffee

When I flew back to Taiwan, I was flipping through a United Airlines magazine on the plane. There was a short article in it about an exclusive interview with a Central American coffee grower. He said: "Life is too short to drink bad coffee." (Life is too short to drink bad coffee.) too short to drink bad coffee.)

This is an interesting statement that could come from anyone and apply to anything under the sun. People who like to drink will say that life is too short to drink well. Those who love to travel will say that there are only a few days left, and there are still many scenic spots that I have not visited! This sentence can also remind us Chinese people that we don’t need to save too much money and neglect the quality of food, clothing, housing, and supplies in life. While we are busy with work and ministry, we should not forget to give some “quality time” to our husbands, wives, and children. I also think of what I often remind everyone during memorial services: While there is still today, apologize where you need to apologize and express love when you need to express love. Maybe it’s just a word, a card, a phone call, a letter, or an action. You will have no regrets in your life.

A good husband and a good father

My father is a typical Taiwanese who received a Japanese education. He has been very strict with us since childhood. He didn't know how to talk and express feelings with children, and we kept a distance from him. One night, as I was about to go to bed, I suddenly thought of my father. During his difficult life, he had done everything he could to support us. After work, he also took part-time classes, taught, did research, and wrote reports to supplement the family income.

I remember when I was a kid, every time when school started and all five of us had to register at the same time, we would hear my father and mother quietly discussing in the middle of the night which friend to borrow tuition fees from. Although my father is fierce, his love is still hidden inside. He has a famous saying: "Mother's love is a small love that can be seen; father's love is a big love that cannot be seen." I didn't understand it before, but later I not only understood it, but also saw it: After my mother passed away, she never wrote letters He writes to us regularly on behalf of his father and mother. It is not easy to write letters in Chinese after being educated in Japan. Although the contents are repeated admonitions to us and clichés, they are indeed expressions of his love.

Thinking, thinking, suddenly I understood everything, I can no longer be harsh; really, he has done his best! Feeling grateful, I rolled out of bed, rushed downstairs, spread out the paper, took out a pen, dipped it in ink, wrote the four characters "Wise Husband and Good Father", and folded the written rice paper. , put it in the envelope, affixed the stamp, and couldn't wait until dawn for the postman to deliver my deepest gratitude to my father! I was really scared at that moment, what if my father was gone during the seven days of airmail?

In fact, although my father was old at that time, he was still quite healthy. Not long after, I received a letter from my father. In the letter was a photo: He was wearing a light blue suit and tie. The people in the photo with him on the chair were the four framed figures of "Good Husband and Good Father". A big word! He looked cheerful, full of relief and pride. Dad, we all love you! Although we also neglect to express...life is too short to not send gratitude to my father's hands and heart!

Stock up on lamp oil starting today

Life is too short, and we will see the Lord soon, so Ecclesiastes advises us: "Young man, be happy in your youth. In the days of your youth, let your heart be glad, and do what your heart desires, and see What your eyes love to see; but know that for all these things God will judge you...while you are young and your days of decline do not come...remember your Creator...these things. All have been heard, and the bottom line is, fear God and keep His commandments, which is the duty of man, for God will do all things that are hidden, whether good or evil. Interrogation." (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1, 13-14)

Thinking further, in the short time we have left, we can experience eternal life today without waiting until the future. The Lord said: “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Eternal life is not something that has been received by the Lord in the past, nor is it something that will happen after death in the future. It is something we have today. The “knowledge” the Lord refers to refers to today’s intimate relationship with God.

Come today to love the Lord, get close to the Lord, and fear the Lord; come today to be the Lord’s disciples, listen to the Lord’s voice, read the Lord’s words, and preach the Lord’s gospel; today come to live a holy life, love one another, and please God the Father. . Have you ever expressed your love to the Trinity many times without hesitation? Why be like the foolish virgins who waited until the day it was too late to regret (see Matthew 25:1-13). The relationship with the Lord is like lamp oil. You need to start saving it today, because if you don’t borrow it until the Lord returns, you won’t be able to borrow it! This entire process from beginning to end is eternal life and salvation. Life is too short to waste our love for the Lord!

Cherish the spiritual treasure

In fact, relationship with God is part of salvation! In the Old Testament, the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt was not the end. God’s plan was for them to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God (refer to Micah 6:8). Passing through the wilderness, crossing the Jordan, entering Canaan, we will have to fight and win, and enter the ranks of kings until we enter true rest (refer to Hebrews 3:12-4:11). In the New Testament, salvation is not about believing in Jesus and going to heaven as many people think. God’s plan is for us to be sanctified after we are justified. After our sins are forgiven, our deeds must be worthy of the calling we have received.

The cross of the Lord Jesus will never take us across the chasm of sin to the promised land and then burn the bridge across the river. No! God also wants us to take up the cross and follow the Lord, be at peace with God, and enjoy God (see Romans 5:9-11). How profound, God’s wisdom and knowledge can speak so much, and God’s thoughts are so rich (see Romans 11:33; Ephesians 1:3, 18). Life is too short to ignore precious eternal truths!

Author profile:
Pastor Xu Zongshi holds a Ph.D. in microbiology and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary in Chicago. He is currently the senior pastor of the Evangelization Center. Author of the book "Flying Out of the Bird Cage".