We Journey Only Once
Professor of Christian ethics Stanley Hauerwas was once leading a discussion with students near the end of the Vietnam war. One of them made the comment, “Nothing is worth dying for.” Now, of course, she was caught up in the sentiment of her day with an unpopular war being fought. But Hauerwas reflected that if she really believed this to be true, one day she would be faced with the unhappy task of dying for nothing.
The truth is – we each take this journey of life only once. If we live only for ourselves, taking no risks for the sake of others, then we do one day “die for nothing.” On the other hand, if we give as much of our lives as possible to serving others and sacrificing for others, then we find that our lives have taken on great meaning and we realize that we have not lived in vain.
Jesus once said, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it…”
Our prayer today was written by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let us pray: Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right side – or your left side, not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your best side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition, but I just want to be there – in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so we can make of this old world a new world. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
