Have you ever reached your destination but found out it was the wrong date?
Dad did.
On Oct. 13, 2002, on his 82nd birthday, he and Mom drove seven hours to where he was to speak at a Minister's Retreat. He checked into the motel and called the Pastor to let them know he had arrived.
Guess what? It was the right place, but the wrong time.
Dad was one week early. What could he do? He turned around and drove the seven hours back home. He had a 14-hour round-trip for nothing. I'm not sure they enjoyed the return trip.
Have you ever arrived on time -- but found out it was the wrong place? I have.
I was working for Metropolitan Insurance Company in 1979. I was supposed to meet a man on a Saturday morning, and it was a two-hour drive from Tulsa. I received the directions and followed them to the exact detail, except for one thing: I was supposed to drive 2 hours SOUTH, but I drove two hours NORTH. I turned around and went back home, and missed the sale. That was only a four-hour round-trip for nothing, and I was disappointed in myself.
Dad was at the right place at the wrong time. I was on time but at the wrong place. Nothing was really hurt here: Dad tired himself out on an all-day drive and I missed a $100 sale. But we both got over it soon enough.
However, have you ever started a project but forgot why you were doing it? That's a tough one. Let me tell you about Cristobal Colon, also known as Cristoforo Columbo; better known to us as Christopher Columbus.
After five centuries, Columbus has been variously described as one of the greatest sailors in history, a genius, a man of faith, a hero, an administrative failure, and a ruthless and greedy imperialist. It depends on whom you talk to.
Columbus' effort to find a westward route to India grew out of the practical experience of a long maritime career, as well as out of his considerable knowledge in geographical, cartographical, and theological literature. (That means knowledge of geography, map-making, and the Bible.)
All the old maps of the world showed that the earth was round. In Spain, Columbus had studied cartography with his brother. He knew the earth was round -- he just didn't know how big it was.
Examination of Columbus' writings and related sources reveal that Columbus had a very important reason for sailing across the oceans.
Christoferens ("Christ-bearer") was another version of his name. Christopher believed he was divinely ordained to carry Christianity across the westward ocean to the pagans of India. His desire was that "The Indian nations might become dwellers in the triumphant Church of Heaven." That was the goal God gave Christopher Columbus. That was his calling in life. That was what he wanted more than anything else.
What happened to the missionary? He got side-tracked. He got "gold-fever."
He took his eyes off God, lost sight of his original goal, focused on the gold, and missed God's will. He also lost all the riches that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella promised him. He lost the fleet of ships and the titles of nobility promised him, and lost the privilege of having the new lands named after him.
His first trip was in 1492; his fourth trip was in 1504; and he died in 1506. To his dying day, he tried to rebuild his fortune, his reputation, and his status in life. He died a broken man just two years after his fourth trip.
Wherever Columbus is now, he realizes the utter shame of putting gold, money, reputation, fame, etc. above God. He understands what God meant when God said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
Has God given you a goal? Do you know your calling in life?
I Cor. 9:24-26 tells us that if you're going to run a race, then prepare for it diligently; and run to win. Athletes win material rewards, but Christians will win an eternal reward.
Heb. 12:1-2 tells us to keep our eyes on the goal that God has set before us. Lock your sights onto Jesus: the Author and Finisher of our faith. Do what it takes to fulfill your goal, and your life will take on a deeper meaning.
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Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, and former pastor. He is president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Religion on 09/28/2016