day 1162: The Lasts

"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." I was listening closely as two senior executives were discussing their career trajectories, when one said to the other, "This is my last job".  The other looked forward in a thoughtful stare into space and said, "This might be my last one too". The exchange could have been between two long term soldiers, or two veteran professional athletes, who were coming to grips with the influence of age and time over their livelihoods.  The thought of anything might be our "last" is not an easy one for us to fathom, in either business or life.  We always expect, "another" and that is the way that our culture and society has been conditioned.  But, there is the other side of always looking for one more.  There can be a certainty and confidence in knowing that this is the last time of trying to relearn, or the last time having to build equity or confidence from others, or this is the last time that we have to prove anything to anyone else, other than ourselves.  Being able to say, "This is the last" can also cement an identity and attitude.  I know that I now hold the last email address and the last cell phone number I will ever have.  So, do you likely.  But, we don't bemoan those do we?  How can we take that same feeling of stability with us into our business and professional careers?  We don't have to always feel like we are chasing the next and can be content in the "lasts". Jesus told us that nothing in this world that is earthly will last. Only those things that we store away for the Kingdom will live beyond this earth.  So, if nothing ever really lasts then where are to find our direction?  The world wants us to listen to the messages that come to us relentlessly about the next job, the next promotion, the next relocation, the next raise.  While these can't be ignored, they also can't be the focus of our attention and intentions if we are to be able to live out the abundant life that He wants for us.  Is it time to take inventory of the "lasts" that we have and allow them to sit contently in our lives so that we can turn our attention to what it is that He desires for us?  His Kingdom outlasts all else and He will give us the strength and endurance to move through the rest of our careers and lives, but we have to trust Him and not put the other things first.  Reference: Matthew 20:16 (New Living Translation)