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A Meaningful Life

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

My goals in life have changed drastically over the years.  As a teenager, I dreamed about playing 3rd base for the NY Mets.  I batted clean-up, I drove in 100 runs and hit 50 home runs per season, played an error-free 3rd base, and led my team to a World Championship every season I played.  I was simply the best 3rd baseman who never came to be.  In college, I scrapped that fantasy for something much more realistic.  I was going to be the next superstar singer.  I produced nothing but #1 hits and albums and graced every magazine cover known to man.

But as I grew older, I came to realize that a meaningful life for me would not entail being an all-star baseball player or a rock star.  Homeruns and hit songs do not lead to eternal salvation; but Christ does.  A few years ago, I asked myself a question that still sticks with me today:  “If I died tomorrow, what would I be remembered for?”  I put together a list that concerned me:  good athlete, good student, Mets fan, Cowboys fan, Rutgers fan, etc.  I made the decision that day to make a change.  I decided to use the tools that the Lord had given me, and use them for His purpose. 

One day, when I have left this earth, hopefully those that knew me would remember me not for the teams that I rooted for or the sports that I played, but as a man that lived for Christ and lived each day trying to lead others to Him.

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