It was 32 years ago today when I was born in that hospital room in Nashville, TN. For me, birthdays are always a time of reflection, refocus, and recommitment. On my thirtieth birthday, I wrote down some commitments that I resolved to keep from that day forward. These commitments have not changed. And today, I set aside a few moments to read these words again, reminding myself of the need to make the most of this short life God has given me. In case you're interested, here is the little piece I wrote called "In My Next Thirty Years.""In My Next Thirty Years "
by Michael O’Neal
March 1, 2007
I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord, have mercy on my next thirty years
(lyrics by Phil Vassar, performed by Tim McGraw)
Whether I like it or not, today (March 1, 2007) marks a new chapter in my life. Whether I like it or not, today I turn the big 3-0. I have never been thirty years old before, so I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel. Should I feel older? Should I feel depressed? Should I feel a sense of excitement about the future? I’m not sure. However, over the past few days, I do know one feeling has consumed me, even haunted me. It is the feeling of personal regret. As I have reflected over my first thirty years, there are so many things that I should have done, but I didn’t. I should have trusted God more. I should have been a better husband. I should have been a better son. I should have been a better friend. I should have made more of a difference with my life. And the list goes on.
Personal regret is a powerful feeling. It can weigh us down, even knock us down. It also has the power to prevent us from focusing on the future and fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives. So on this monumental birthday, I have decided that I will not allow this personal regret to defeat me. Actually, this personal regret motivates me today. It is time to press on to the next thirty years of my life, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil 3:13, NIV).
Relying on God’s grace and pleading for God’s power, I make the following commitments:
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will make God’s kingdom my primary concern (Matt 6:33). Nothing matters more than living out God’s purposes for God’s glory. I will worship more passionately, love people more selflessly, follow God’s Word more faithfully, serve more willingly, and witness more boldly.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will care about the whole world. God’s heart beats for the world, and so should mine. Yes, I will continue to reach out to my family, friends, and neighbors. Yes, I will continue to reach out locally through my church. Yes, I will continue to love America and sing along with “God Bless the U.S.A.” every 4th of July. However, I will not be satisfied until every people group around the world has a chance to hear, understand, and respond to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I will go overseas whenever God gives me the opportunity. I will be a part of what God is doing in the world. I will take more risks for his global cause. I will do whatever I can to lead ordinary people like me to get involved with what God is doing in the world.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will be the spiritual leader in my home. I will model Christ-like love and service for my wife and my children. I will pray for my wife and with my wife. I will pray for my children and with my children. I will teach my family to believe the Bible and cherish the local church.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will spend more time and more money on eternal matters. I’m tired of playing “trivial pursuit.” Throughout my first thirty years, I spent way too much time watching sitcoms and Braves baseball. I also spent way too much money on food and entertainment. With the time and money God has given me, it’s time to focus on what will last forever. As the old proverb says,
“Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
On my thirtieth birthday, the bottom line is that I refuse to waste my life. Now I ask all who read my words: Will you refuse to waste your life? Will you forget about the past and focus on how God wants to use you in the future? Will you forsake all your distractions, including your personal regrets, in order to make your life count? Will you make God’s kingdom your primary concern? Will you care about the whole world? Will you love your family like Christ loves you? Will you spend more time and money on eternal matters?
I ask that you pray for me as I strive to fulfill these commitments over the next thirty years. Indeed, my prayer for all of us is that we will not waste our lives. Life is so short, and I pray that we will make the most of our years here on earth by no longer living for ourselves, but for the One who died and rose again (2 Cor 5:15). Let me close with the compelling, motivating words of Rick Warren from The Purpose Driven Covenant:
Today, I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Any way. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”
by Michael O’Neal
March 1, 2007
I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord, have mercy on my next thirty years
(lyrics by Phil Vassar, performed by Tim McGraw)
Whether I like it or not, today (March 1, 2007) marks a new chapter in my life. Whether I like it or not, today I turn the big 3-0. I have never been thirty years old before, so I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel. Should I feel older? Should I feel depressed? Should I feel a sense of excitement about the future? I’m not sure. However, over the past few days, I do know one feeling has consumed me, even haunted me. It is the feeling of personal regret. As I have reflected over my first thirty years, there are so many things that I should have done, but I didn’t. I should have trusted God more. I should have been a better husband. I should have been a better son. I should have been a better friend. I should have made more of a difference with my life. And the list goes on.
Personal regret is a powerful feeling. It can weigh us down, even knock us down. It also has the power to prevent us from focusing on the future and fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives. So on this monumental birthday, I have decided that I will not allow this personal regret to defeat me. Actually, this personal regret motivates me today. It is time to press on to the next thirty years of my life, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil 3:13, NIV).
Relying on God’s grace and pleading for God’s power, I make the following commitments:
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will make God’s kingdom my primary concern (Matt 6:33). Nothing matters more than living out God’s purposes for God’s glory. I will worship more passionately, love people more selflessly, follow God’s Word more faithfully, serve more willingly, and witness more boldly.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will care about the whole world. God’s heart beats for the world, and so should mine. Yes, I will continue to reach out to my family, friends, and neighbors. Yes, I will continue to reach out locally through my church. Yes, I will continue to love America and sing along with “God Bless the U.S.A.” every 4th of July. However, I will not be satisfied until every people group around the world has a chance to hear, understand, and respond to the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I will go overseas whenever God gives me the opportunity. I will be a part of what God is doing in the world. I will take more risks for his global cause. I will do whatever I can to lead ordinary people like me to get involved with what God is doing in the world.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will be the spiritual leader in my home. I will model Christ-like love and service for my wife and my children. I will pray for my wife and with my wife. I will pray for my children and with my children. I will teach my family to believe the Bible and cherish the local church.
IN MY NEXT THIRTY YEARS, I will spend more time and more money on eternal matters. I’m tired of playing “trivial pursuit.” Throughout my first thirty years, I spent way too much time watching sitcoms and Braves baseball. I also spent way too much money on food and entertainment. With the time and money God has given me, it’s time to focus on what will last forever. As the old proverb says,
“Only one life, ‘Twill soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
On my thirtieth birthday, the bottom line is that I refuse to waste my life. Now I ask all who read my words: Will you refuse to waste your life? Will you forget about the past and focus on how God wants to use you in the future? Will you forsake all your distractions, including your personal regrets, in order to make your life count? Will you make God’s kingdom your primary concern? Will you care about the whole world? Will you love your family like Christ loves you? Will you spend more time and money on eternal matters?
I ask that you pray for me as I strive to fulfill these commitments over the next thirty years. Indeed, my prayer for all of us is that we will not waste our lives. Life is so short, and I pray that we will make the most of our years here on earth by no longer living for ourselves, but for the One who died and rose again (2 Cor 5:15). Let me close with the compelling, motivating words of Rick Warren from The Purpose Driven Covenant:
Today, I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Any way. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”
PCC started a new message series last Sunday called "The Best Question Ever." In Part 1 of the message series, Andy Stanley introduced us to this "best question ever"--a question we should all ask when we're making decisions (big or small).
