Luke 17:33 (NKJV) Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of hearing former Army Ranger and author, Chuck Holden speak at the Vital Men Fall Kick off.
His message was enjoyable, but more importantly, inspired thought that had better lead to action.
After processing all he had to share, it brought to mind something that I wrote back in September of last year. Call it a mission statement. I would like to share it with you.
Today is the day. It’s been weighing heavily on me for the past several months. I’ve allowed my focus to drift from the Lord and my fire to temper. God decided, last night, that it was time to really start pulling on me. I found my little notebook. The notebook I write notes from scripture, sermon and prayers in, then realized I hadn’t noticed it was misplaced. I’ve been deeply reading scripture, devotions and Billy Graham literature with a renewed vigor. The book that Ben lent me gave me a new look at Graham’s life and ministry. It further illuminated his great strength and gifts, his incredible journey through life proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, I’ve glimpsed a great many of his failings, shortcomings and wrong turns. Throughout it all, the Lord was always there to catch him, to pull him back on course and Billy, sometimes slow, always heard his call. His life and fire for God is unbelievable. Now I know I’ll never be Billy Graham, but I want what he has. I want that life, peace, love and courage. I want to be the Scott Pace that the good Lord designed and expects. I want people to look on me and know that I’m different from others that they know, to see the work of Jesus Christ through my words and actions. I want people to say, “I want to know the life and love that he knows.” When God calls me home, when he punches my ticket, I want those I know and love to sing in joyous celebration. I want them to say, “Scott Pace was a man of God. He loved the Lord and the Lord loved him. He will be missed, but so many will see him again, because of God’s work through him”.
As, Chuck spoke, I couldn’t help but think about this mission statement I drafted nearly 1 year ago. God was using Chuck to direct me back to this pledge, this mission. He was a calling me to love, humility and obedience to God. This mission is one requiring death to self (Luke 17:33) and surrender to Jesus and the needs of others. It is a call for endurance and long suffering in anticipation for the mission reward (1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ). And… it’s a call to embrace it and count it all joy (James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials).
Chuck challenged us to think about what we would do with our remaining time on earth, to think about how we might be remembered. I’ve thought about it. I wrote about it 1 year ago. Now I will act upon it. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
