by Dr. David L. Thompson
NASHVILLE, TN – What do you really have? No really, I’m not talking about a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. I’m talking about what do you really, really have? Someone wisely said, “All you really have is what money can’t buy and death can’t take!" If that is true, and I believe that it is with all my heart, then it may benefit you to focus on the things that really matter in life.
I can think of a few things that really matter in life. I have a new hero named Sydney. Sydney Michelle McClaughlin is the fastest woman hurdler in the world in the 400 meter. She ran for the University of Kentucky, and then a few years ago represented the United States of America in the Olympics… she is not my hero because she ran faster than anyone else, she is my hero because of what she said after she won the gold medal. She said, “What I have in Christ is far greater than this gold medal.” Sydney has something money can’t buy, and death can’t take away.
Florida’s beloved Coach Bowden got it right—When asked about what he said to his players, he replied “Your dad gum right I preached to those boys. I cared about where they would spend eternity." (Bobby didn’t always just say “dad gum”.) Coach had something money can’t buy, and death can’t take away. No doubt he helped shape a generation of young men that would go on to become great leaders and godly husbands and fathers.
Do you have a life? Business and Christian leader, Dennis Phillips says, “A job is what you are hired to do, a career is what you're paid to do, but a life vocation is what you are called to do”. You, my dear friend, are called to pursue your purpose in life with incredible passion. That is something that no one can take from you.
I guess you could say Walt Disney had that. Disney believed if you could dream it, you could do it. He never saw the great Disney Park with his own physical eyes. Shortly before the grand opening he passed away. There, on inauguration day, a ticker tape parade ensued which lasted for days it seemed, all in Walt’s honor. There, his wife was told by the CEO, “I wish Walt was here to see all this." She replied, “Oh he saw it, that’s why it’s here”.
If you have a dream, be passionate about it because no one can take that from you. I guess what I’m saying is, it is not your relationship to things, but to people that matter now and for all eternity.
While I served as Secretary Treasurer for the Pastors Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, I had the great privilege to lay hands on my mentor, Adrian Rogers. He had been diagnosed with cancer. I will never forget what he said, “I am in a win-win situation: If I live, I win. If I die, I win!"
That’s the way it is for every child of God, only our Heavenly Father’s heirs have something that money can’t buy, and death can’t take away. So, I ask you one more time, what do you really have in life? Don’t wait for “Michael” or “Fred” or “Sandy “or some other storm to hit to alter your life. With God’s help, you too can have something money can’t buy—and death can never ever take away—a beautiful and passionate life that belongs to Jesus Christ and a loving relationship with those around you—that will last forever!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. David L. Thompson holds an undergraduate degree from Belmont University in Psychology and Religion, a graduate degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Education, and a doctorate in Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He has served as a chairman of the Church Planting Group and Executive Committee Chair at the North American Mission Board for 10 years. He has been a Police Chaplain since 1991 and served as a Corporate Chaplain to the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Nashville, Tennessee where he resides with his wife. He has six children and five grandsons.