I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

Randy Pausch is a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Randy Pausch has been told the tumors in his liver will kill him in less than a year.

Armed with the news of his oncoming death, Randy Pausch has been giving what has been called, “the lecture of a lifetime.” It is a lecture which encourages people to live life to its fullest. Speaking on “Good Morning America,” Pausch said, “We have a finite amount of time. Whether short or long, it doesn't matter. Life is to be lived.” Jesus would agree with that. After all, He came so we might have life and have it abundantly.

In all honesty, I admire some of the things Randy says. It’s hard not to admire a fellow who says things like, “. . .it sounds trite, but if you wait long enough, other people will show you their good side. If there's anything I've [learned] that is absolutely true. Sometimes it takes a lot longer than you might like. But the onus is on you to keep the hope and keep waiting." You may not agree, but it sounds good, doesn’t it?

It’s hard not to applaud a brave man who admits, “. . .the particular way I'm going to die is not going to be particularly pleasant. It will probably be physically uncomfortable and it won't be an easy thing for my wife and kids to watch. . . . I think it will be a real challenge to see if I can squeeze the lemons hard enough to still get lemonade the last few weeks. ”

Out of courtesy for a brave man who is looking at death, I won’t argue with all the things Randy Pausch is saying. On the other hand, I do have a few problems with the things Randy Pausch is not saying. You see, at least from the articles I’ve read, I don’t know if Randy realizes he doesn’t have to squeeze those last-day lemons all by himself.

Jesus, the holy Son of God, was born into this world, so our lives, from cradle to grave, might be changed. So we might be freed of Satan’s accusations, Jesus resisted every temptation; so we might be declared innocent, the Christ carried our sins; so we might live forever, Jesus died on Calvary’s cruel cross. Then, so our families won’t be left on their own to squeeze life’s lemons when they walk away from our casket, Jesus rose from the dead. All this Jesus did, so we might have an abundant life in this world, as well as in the next.

So, while I might like Randy who is giving the “lecture of a lifetime,” I think I will hold fast in faith to Jesus Christ who has become my “Savior for eternity.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks You have given Yourself as a sacrifice for me. May my life be filled with an abundance of thanks, praise, and gratitude for Your gift, which lasts past this world and into the next. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 33-34    Acts 23:16-35

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