Extending Your Dash
There are two general ways to look at the meaning of life. One is to assume that life has meaning, you have a purpose, and that your job is to discover where you fit and what you might contribute to the big picture. The other is to view life as meaningless, a random mass of activity, in the midst of which you should attempt to create happiness for yourself. To which perspective do you think Jesus subscribed?
Helen Keller, famous for her accomplishments despite a lack of hearing and sight, said this: "Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." Jesus definitely knew that there was a purpose and a plan for His life. What purpose could be more worthy than to serve God in achieving His purpose? At life's end, to be able to say to God as Jesus did, "I have brought You glory by completing the work You gave me to do" (John 17:4).
Poet Linda Ellis wrote a poem back in 1996 that has become wildly popular. Most may not have really heard or read the actual poem, but they are likely familiar with the gist of it. The poem describes a man speaking at the funeral of a friend. He notes the common inscription on the tombstone, indicating the date of birth and the date of death. As usual, between those dates was a dash. The poem extolls the importance of that little line, which sums up an entire life. Ms. Ellis ends her poem with this: “So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?”
What mark will your “dash” leave on the Kingdom? If anyone is in a position to make a real difference in our world, it is those of us indwelt by the Spirit of God, each gifted in different ways for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
But some may say, “What can I do for God? I’m just one person and not a very gifted one at that!” We all have our gifts. But when God appointed leaders in the early church, we don’t see an emphasis on giftedness. The emphasis is on godliness and godly character. Not one of the qualifications for elders and deacons begins with “must have the gift of…”
We see in the book of Acts, after the Apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the things they previously thought were so important took a back seat to the task Christ had given them: “Make disciples.” Their lives had a new intentionality. To say they went on to make an incredible difference is an understatement. After Peter’s first sermon, 3,000 joined the church!
Now, 2,000 years later, we have churches full of distracted believers, not convinced they can make a difference. Although they may desire to make a difference, deep down inside, many feel they are not ready. So ask yourself: Do I want to make a difference? If so, am I ready? Maybe you should follow the example of Blasio Kugosi:
In 1935, Blasio Kugosi, a schoolteacher in Rwanda, Central Africa, was deeply discouraged by the lack of life in the church and the powerlessness of his own experience. He followed the example of the first Christians and closed himself in for a week of prayer and fasting in his little cottage. He emerged a changed man. He confessed his sins to those he had wronged, including his wife and children. He proclaimed the gospel in the school where he taught, and revival broke out there, resulting in students and teachers being saved. They were called abaka, meaning “people on fire.”
Shortly after that, Blasio was invited to Uganda to share with the Anglican Church there. As he called the leaders to repentance, the fire of the Spirit descended again on the place, with similar results as in Rwanda. Several days later, Blasio died of fever. His ministry lasted only a few weeks, but the revival fires sparked through his ministry swept throughout East Africa and continue to the present. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been transformed over the decades through this mighty East African revival. It all began with a discouraged Christian setting himself apart to seek the fullness of God's Spirit.
Ajith Fernando, The NIV Application Commentary: Acts (Zondervan, 1998), p. 118
The impact of Blasio’s “dash” hasn’t ended. Are you poised to make such a difference? Are you seeking to be a godly instrument for His glory? A revival may not break out, but helping to change one life for Christ extends the effect of your dash into eternity.
“...he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do...” ─John 14:12