A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers     

Matthew 11:2, 3, “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, ‘Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?’” Alexander the Great conquered Persia, but broke down and wept because his troops were too exhausted to push on to India. Hugo Grotius, the father of modern international law, said at the last, “I have accomplished nothing worthwhile in my life.” John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the U.S. and one of our greatest leaders and colonial patriots wrote in his diary: “My life has been spent in vain and idle aspirations, and in ceaseless rejected prayers that something would be the result of my existence beneficial to my species.” Robert Louis Stevenson wrote words that continue to delight and enrich our lives, and yet what did he write for his epitaph? “Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed much.” Cecil Rhodes, British mining magnate and politician opened up Africa and established an empire, but what were his dying words? “So little done, so much to do.” So often, as with these great men, we do not fully realize the impact we have had on this world. We are our own worst critics. If only we could step back and fully appreciate the difference we have made as others view it, then I believe we would be encouraged as to our contribution upon the earth to our fellow man. Notice our Scripture lesson today. In spite of his heavenly calling, John the Baptist, who was languishing in prison, had a crisis of his faith. He began to question his effectiveness and whether or not he really had pointed people to the right One—the Messiah. If you continue to read the chapter, you will find that Jesus wasn’t critical of John but sent him word of the miracles that confirmed Jesus as the Son of God, the Lamb that John had been pointing everyone to. From time to time, we may question, to some degree, our worth. We may wonder, are we really accomplishing anything of value in this life? Let me assure you, you are. You are of value to God and to those with whom you come in contact each day. You are precious and you are priceless. You may not presently see the impact you have had on this world, but one day you will; and that will be for all eternity a glorious new day.

Source: Donald McCullough, The Pitfalls of Positive Thinking