RELIGION: We all have only one life to live

In 1961, an advertising copywriter named Shirley Polykoff was working for the Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agency on the Clairol hair-dye account when she pitched this idea to a room full of executives: "If I've only one life, let me live it as a blonde!"

The rest, as they say, is advertising history.

Actually, Shirley had already created magic in previous campaigns. Her first big idea had been five years earlier. The slogan was: "Does She or Doesn't She?" (Do you remember that ad campaign for hair dye?)

She also came up with "The Closer He Gets, the Better You Look."

But this line -- If I've only one life, let me live it as a blonde -- was, perhaps, her greatest -- in terms of success in advertising, anyway.

It leads to an interesting question: How would you complete this sentence? "If I've only one life, let me live it as a ..."

As a what? Devoted mom? Loyal husband? Faithful friend? Successful business leader? Committed Christian?

The truth is, we each have only one life to live -- and there are only a few goals worth pursuing.

And one is greater than them all.

In weighing the various measures of success, the Apostle Paul said, "I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:10).

Just a few paragraphs before, he said, "For to me, to live is Christ ..." (Philippians 1:21).

Paul was saying: If I've only one life, let me live it as a sold-out follower of Jesus Christ.

Let us live a life committed to Christ.

Peace,

Skip

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Pastor James "Skip" French is the pastor of Highland Christian Church, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista. Opinions expressed are those of the author.