Will you be remembered?

You bust your back at work. You sacrifice your time, your energy, you sanity to improve the environment you're in. You work as though you were working until the Lord, just as the Good Book says. But will you be remembered when it is all said and done?

This week I was talking with someone whom I consider a work mentor about this very topic. If you are a member of our great military, a police officer, air traffic controller, fire fighter, or work at a place that is a 24 hour 7 day a week job, will you be remembered when you walk out that door and call it a career? This had me doing some serious thinking. I love my job. It's my dream job and a job that I wanted to do since I was 12 years old. I can't imagine doing anything else. But where am I placing my priorities? The reality of my job, or any job for that matter, is that each and every one of us is replaceable. I don't mean to make it sound so depressing, because it's not meant to be. I just want to draw attention to it. If I got into my car to drive home after work, and God forbid that I get into an accident, will Air Traffic stop? No. Sure I will be missed by my coworkers (I think), and sure it's sad to think about, but I AM REPLACEABLE. 

But wait. I have some good news. You're not replaceable to your family or your friends. You see, I am replaceable at work, but I am not replaceable to those that love me, care for me, and pray for me. So what am I trying to say? I want you to go to work. I want you to work as though you are working until the Lord, BUT I want you to go home and give more to those that are important. I want you to spend time with your family. Invest in your family. Invest in your church. Help those in need. Give to the poor. Make a difference in your community. Don't be forgotten to those that matter most.

My wife and I were discussing my opinion on this topic. I feel the need to say that I DO WANT you to leave a legacy. I want you to be remembered when you retire from your job. But if you're like me, you struggle daily with ranking your priorities. There have been many days in my career when I have put my job first and my family second or even third. All I really want you to do is take time each morning to pray and prioritize what is really important in your life. 

God has sent his one and only Son to die for my sins, and though I am by no means perfect, I don't use that line as an excuse. I strive to be perfect because if we, Believers, say that we should follow the example of Jesus Christ, then why would I not strive to be perfect? Jesus was perfect.

My two cents. Take it for what's it worth,

Regards,
Jimmy