Reflections on a year of blogging

Exactly one year ago today, I wrote my first blog entry. Somehow, I managed to keep it up since then and update my blog on a (fairly) regular basis. I would like to say thank you to those of you who have shown an interest in my blog and encouraged me to carry on with it. It costs me some time and effort, but I believe it is worth it - not least for myself, as it gives me some extra time to reflect on some things that are important to me. But most of all, I want to be a blessing and encouragement to you and give God the glory in everything.

The title I chose for this blog ("Here today and gone tomorrow") is, in my view, a description of everybody's life. Life on earth is short - no matter if you die at a young age or live to be 100. This thought has become much more prominent in my mind over the past year. It's hard for me to believe how time flies. A whole year has gone since I started this blog. Wow. And this year is also the 10th anniversary of my high school graduation (German Abitur). That was 10 whole years ago. Unbelievable.

And so I always have to ask myself: What am I living for? Am I making the most of my life? Many people live their lives for money and the things money can buy, according to the motto "He who dies with the most toys, wins." However, the truth is better reflected in the words "He who dies with the most toys, still dies." The most important thing in life is not collecting toys. Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) Jesus did not live His life on earth to become a king or a respected teacher or anything like that. Rather, He came to bring love and healing and forgiveness and salvation to needy people like us: "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) And He calls us to follow in His footsteps: "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John 13:15) That's the kind of life God wants us to live. We should be using our lives to make a difference in the lives of others, showing them God's love.

In giving you life, God has given you a very precious gift. What will you do with it? Will you use it to make a difference in this world? Or will you waste it?