DEVOTION / Watch your punctuation

Punctuation saves lives! As a high school English teacher for 40 years –  plus a writer and editor – I get more excited than most about punctuation! Misplaced commas, apostrophes, colons, and semicolons jump out at me. Spelling mistakes? Don't even go there!

 The Dash –

Maybe you've read a devotion about the meaning found in a dash. Go to any local cemetery. You will find grave after grave with markers that feature a dash between the dates.

 Lasting Impact

Abraham Lincoln's marker shows 1809-1865. That little dash indicates the impact this man had during his time of God-given grace. An internet search revealed 15,000-plus biographies written about Lincoln’s "dash." Lots of impact was contained in that little punctuation mark! Think there will be that many biographies written about your life after you are home in heaven? Maybe not.

 Your Dash –  

Yes, our earthly existence will have its own dash. Job 14:5 reminds us that a person’s days are determined; you [God] have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed (NIV). We are reminded that life is fleeting (Ps 39:4) The Lord encourages us to number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom (Ps 90:12).

 God's Workmanship

Through the work of God's Spirit in your heart, your life impacts the lives of those he brings into contact with you. Ephesians 2:10 reveals that God has pre-planned work for his people to carry out. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them.

 Those good works prepared in advance for us are opportunities to help our neighbors, to share our faith, and to put that faith into action.

 Eternal Meaning

At 316NOW, we strive to share the love of Jesus with countless brothers and sisters around the world. Through God's grace, we have the opportunity to help them "punctuate" their lives with eternal meaning.

 Prayer: Lord, thank you for the time of grace you have granted us, and bless our efforts in sharing your life-giving message clearly and well punctuated!

 By Dave Payne