Don was hungry for success. At the age of thirty, he owned his own business, drove a sports car, had a house at the beach, a condo close to the office, and was part owner of a boat. He was tall and good-looking, every bit the eligible bachelor, and he seemed to date as many women as possible.
At the age of thirty-one, Don was stricken with cancer. Everything in his life abruptly changed. To his credit, he was able to make a major leap in his life from living for himself and according to his own will, to expressing a need for God and a desire to live according to God's will.
Don reevaluated his priorities and four years later said: "I've been in several hospitals and had a number of different treatments. I've been in remission twice, and twice the disease has returned. I've seen people die, and I've seen people live. And above all, I've learned what's important and what's not."
During the course of his illness, Don married one of the women he had been dating and a year later, his wife gave birth to a daughter. Don says of his life today, "I wouldn't trade what I've been through. Having things is not living. Loving and knowing God -- that's living. The fact is, whether I'm here on earth or in Heaven, loving and knowing God is all that matters."
It has been said, "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much." If we are living for God, then we are living life to the fullest. Solomon in his wisdom understood this idea when he wrote, "Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works." (Ecclesiastes 9:7 NASV)
Today, let's focus our hearts on living for Him, so that whether our lives are long or short, they will be anchored to what really matters.
