It's New Years Eve and nostalgia is flowing. Who doesn't spend some time around the holidays looking back and looking ahead? As we join this process to look back on the last year and to look ahead into the year ahead, we too are grateful for some aspects of the last year and looking ahead with mixed emotions into the year ahead. In moments like this we all need clear perspective.
This post is a New Years devotional, of sorts. We hope to encourage you to press on into 2019 and seek to truly maximize every opportunity God has given you. To make the most of the year ahead we need to find the right perspective.
Finding Perspective
The author of Hebrews helps us find perspective. He specifically directs us, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Remembering those saints who have gone before us provides perspective as we move through life.
Biographies have become our favorite genre over this past year. We have drawn incredible perspective about life, sacrifice, and suffering from the lives of men and women who have gone before us. Instead of sharing a full biography with you here, we simply want to point to one man who made the most of his life and leave you with a poem that is full of perspective...
C.T. Studd
To help focus our perspective at the end of this year we remember the life of one of the many saints who has finished his course: Charles Thomas Studd (1860-1931). Studd was born into wealth and destined for affluence. He was converted during his college years at Cambridge and began following Jesus in faithful obedience. In his own day he was the Michael Jordan of cricket. While many expected for him to play professionally and return to London to embrace a life of affluence and influence Studd chose to forsake it all for the sake of participating in God's global purposes.
Studd is a part of what has become known as The Cambridge Seven - a group of culturally affluent men who laid down the fame and flattery of men and became evangelists in unknown parts of the world. These men embraced the sacrifice with joy out of joy for what God had done for them in Jesus Christ.
Studd would go on to minister in India, Africa, and China. His wealthy father left him a sizable inheritance to which he graciously gave away. He was husband to Pricilla, father to four daughters and two sons (though lost in infancy). It's possible that you've never heard of Studd before this moment. But Heaven knows his name. Heaven knows all that he accomplished in his life. He lived his life with perspective because he lived in light of eternity.
Studd wrote a poem that is packed full of perspective for living. We share it with you as a way of encouraging your faith into 2019. Let's burn bright for Jesus in the year ahead!
A Poem Full Of Perspective
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.