Alan Smith Via Bulletin Gold
The story is told of a man in a fancy restaurant who
started to choke on a bone. A doctor rushed over.
identified himself as a doctor, and reassured the man
that he was going to be all right. He performed the
Heimlich maneuver and the bone popped out.
As the man’s breath and voice returned he said, “I’m
ever so grateful, doctor, how can I ever repay you?”
The doctor smiled and said, “Ill settle for one-tenth
of what you were willing to pay while you were
choking.”
It’s true, isn’t it, that when you’re facing a crisis
(especially a life-threatening crisis), you would give
everything you have to get through it. Money is no
object!
We do the same thing on a spiritual level. How
many times have you faced hardship and prayed, “Lord,
if you’ll just see me through this, I’ll serve you faithfully
the rest of my life!” or something similar? But what
happens when the crisis passes? Those feelings of
urgency about serving God pass as well. If we could
commit ourselves to doing one-tenth of what we’re
willing to do in those moments, most of us would
ascend to a new level of commitment.
Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Father, there are moments in my life when I am reminded
of how much I need you and how urgent it is that I commit
my life to you. All too often, though, those feelings
disappear, and I quickly revert back to a less-than-
satisfactory level of commitment. Please forgive me and
strengthen me in my resolve to reach the point where I can
say with the apostle Paul,”To me, to live is Christ.” In
Jesus’ name, amen.
Have a great day!
Groveland, FL