Avoiding The Trap of Thinking You Have Something to Lose.

Since the death of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Inc. his story has dominated the media including even nearly every post on Facebook. I wasn't a fan of his but as a result of all the coverage I listened to a commencement speech he gave in 2005 at Stanford University. Portions of it were quite interesting — one quote in particular were words he said he lived by — which we all can gain instruction from as individuals striving to be ambassadors for God’s kingdom.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

Steve pointed those who listened that day to follow their heart. I would point you to follow Jesus Christ. Without that we cannot trust our heart. But as we follow Christ and continue to yield to the Holy Spirit’s guidance our heart (our soul's longings) will become more pure — and what’s in it — what’s in our very soul will effect what we do, what we say and even our clothing choices.

Because unlike the big choices Jobs most likely was speaking about, for most of us, our “big choices” on a daily basis deal simply with things as difficult as what to wear. But when we consider the possibility that this really could be our last day on earth — how important do you think it is to be dressed in whatever the latest immodest fashion fad may be? Realizing that in the very next moment you could be meeting your Maker … what would you choose to wear?

Jobs was right, “remembering you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Instead of worrying about what we will lose by not following the crowd, we can live confidently. Because by walking pleasing to the Lord in all that we do ... we have everything including Heaven to gain!