Introduction
Introduction
Recently I found myself in an interesting conversation—with my pen! It was a bit one-sided, but I learned some things from that talk.
For as long as I can remember, even in my school days, I have always used a fountain pen. The one I own today is a gift from a friend—a nice pen that I enjoy using.
One day as I sat alone at my desk writing, I looked at that pen in my hand and began a conversation.
“Pen,” I said, “I really like you. I think you’re the finest thing there is. I don’t even loan you out to anyone.”
Well, thank you, I imagined the pen to respond. It’s nice to know I’m appreciated.
“Pen,” I continued, “you are really part of my personality. My signature—part of who I am—has been shaped by you. There is something about you that no one else can claim. But I’m sad to tell you, Pen, that after a few years you will no longer be mine.”
What do you mean? my pen asked. Are you planning to give me away?
“I’m more than 40 years old,” I explained. “If I added 100 years to my life, I can’t imagine I would be around anymore. You might be, but I’ll be gone. So, Pen, I’ll use you as long as I can. But I’ll not hold you so tightly that I’ll have to weep over you when the end comes.”
As you begin to read through this book, I challenge you to take a fresh look at how you are investing your life—your time, your energy, your abilities. You have only one life. It is your choice (whether you realize it or not) how you invest it. Will you spend it on yourself and your own pleasures or throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and tell Him, “Here I am—send me”?
When you live your life in the light of eternity, the treasures the world values become worthless. Things do not matter anymore; souls become precious.
It is the prayer of my heart that as you come to the end of this book, you will not close it and say simply, “Well, that was challenging,” then go on with your life the way it was before.
Take some time right now to pray and ask the Lord to use this book to soften your heart, fill your eyes with tears and move you out of your comfort zone and into a world that is lost and dying without Jesus Christ.
I challenge you to get beyond the “I’ve-heard-it-before” mentality. Move into the uncertainty of seeking the will of God for every step. It will be the beginning of a serious, honest walk with Jesus. I can assure you, a life spent in this way will be eternally worth it.
May the Lord bless you and speak to you as you read these pages.