The Things That Really Matter

Sometimes things happen ... big things. Important things. Life-changing things.

When things like this happen, it's like receiving a wake-up call ... a reality check. When things like this happen in my life, I'm forced to re-evaluate my life and priorities in the light of God and Eternity ... to ask myself, "What are the things that really matter to me ... to my family and friends ... to God? What are the things that will really matter when I'm 99? What are the things that will really matter when I see my Saviour face-to-face and embark on Eternity with Him ... when I hope to hear Him say,'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"

Something happened in my family's and my life recently. Something big ... important ... life-changing ...

Two of our 'bestest' and closest friends - a husband and wife - have been diagnosed with cancer. Both of them. These friends go way back ... I can hardly remember a time when we didn't know them. They were our pastor and pastor's wife ... he baptised me ... he called me his 'daughter' ... she told friends we were 'family' ... we've laughed and cried with them ... we've stayed in their house over and over again - touring their part of the country and driving their cars, staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning playing games and talking with them, finally going to sleep scattered around on the floor of the family room and spare bedroom (when there weren't enough beds to go round!).

And now ... now they've both got cancer. Maybe they'll be fine and live on to old age and great-grandparenthood, maybe their cancer isn't life-threatening or dangerous, maybe science can beat the cancer and save their lives. And God already knows what His plans for them are ... I know He does ... but I don't know anything else. So I'm asking myself, "What are the things that really matter? The laughter and tears and memories we share with our friends? The thousand or more miles between us now? The special - priceless! - things behind us? The Eternity to before us?"

More than that ... I'm asking myself, "Am I investing in the things that really matter? Am I pouring my heart and soul - giving up my life - into the things that really matter? If I was diagnosed with cancer, would the news rouse much love and concern? Would I leave behind me the things that really matter? Would I qualify to see my Saviour smile and hear Him say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant ...'?"

I've received a wake-up call and a reality check. Have I heeded them and asked myself, "What are the things that really matter?"