"Upon his death, natives gently removed his heart and buried it in the Africa he so loved. Then his body was carried to the coast, where it was shipped back to England for burial....As the body of Livingstone was carried through the streets of London on its way to its final resting place in Westminster Abbey, one man wept openly. A friend gently consoled him, asking if he had known Livingstone personally. 'I weep not for Livingstone but for myself,' the first man said, adding, 'he lived and died for something, but I have lived for nothing.'"
~ Harold J. Sala, Heroes: People Who Made a Difference in Our World
"He lived and died for something, but I have lived for nothing." That line halted me from reading any further. I could not help but think of my life, even today, and ask myself, "What am I living for? Do I live for self? Or do I live for Christ?"
At the moment life has been going a a breakneck pace. It seems like I have spent every day this week catching up on that which should have been done the day before, only the day before held not the hours with which to do the tasks in. And not for lacking of trying, because I assure you that I did indeed try. No, things have been rushing along at such a pace because, like everyone, there are some weeks or months in each year in which more happens then it seems ought to be possible or right. But then, after a time things will settle back into their slower trot and I will go back to evenings where nearly every task will be check off my to-do list for that day with a satisfied if weary sigh. Yet, especially because I have been going "like crazy" for these last few weeks, I had to pause when I read that line. What am I living for? Is all this rushing to and fro for the only purpose that is worth living and dying for? For my Lord?
David Livingstone's own words state ever so clearly what I pray I will always say.
"I will place no value on anything I have or possess, except in its relationship to the kingdom of God."
In all the busy in and outs and back and forths of life, it's good to take a moment to think about why I am doing what I am doing and to see what I am living for, because, I want to always be living for Christ above all. I never want to become so distracted by just being busy that I miss that most important point.
