don't waste your life

here is an excerpt from John Piper's book that i am reading, "Don't Waste Your Life". it is so thought provoking!:

"I will tell you what tragedy is. i will show you how to waste your life. consider this story from the february readers digest: a couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the northeast five years ago wen he was 59 and she was 51. now they live in punta gorda, florida, where they cruise on their 31 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...' picture them before the Christ at the great day of judgement: 'look Lord. SEE MY SHELLS.' that is a tragedy.

when i meet the Lord face to face i want to fall at his feet and say, "THANK YOU JESUS for not letting me waste my life". i often feel like i am. as i putt around in nothingness and boredom...collecting shells. then i remind myself that HE ordains each day, FOR HIS GLORY. whether i like it or not. whether, my idea of what glorifies Him comes in a tragic circumstance that i hear about or happens close to home. i ask "why Lord??" i get on my knees, "Lord WHY?" then i realize something. i am ON MY KNEES. not because i just felt like PLEADING to the Lord that day...but because something of this world was so devastating that i fall to my knees and have INTENSE fellowship with him. it does not seem fair to the person of whom i am praying for. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" He never promises fairness. only REDEMPTION to the lost. only to mend our wounds, only to extend his arms and die for us. the least i can do is wake every morning and pray that today will not be wasted. that i will be OPEN TO HIS WILL. not that He won't do His will anyway but i can participate in the JOY. OR I can just sit there WASTING IT. today, i choose to participate.

for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Matthew 6:21