Once again, our tragedy-weary ears were subjected to unexpected and tragic news.\u00a0 Actor and humanitarian Paul Walker had been killed, alongside his friend, in a horrific and gut-wrenching auto accident.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not so much that Walker was a more valuable or worthy person compared with the thousands who perished in the recent typhoon in the Philippines, or anyone else whose life is cut short for that matter.\u00a0 But that being said, it seems to me that Walker was an especially kindhearted and generous person who used his gifts and talents to inspire millions.\u00a0 And when that unique type of person is taken early from this earth, we feel an especially harsh sting in our hearts.<\/p>\n
However as I browsed through the tributes and testimonies regarding Paul Walker, I was comforted by the fact that he had taken care of his eternal destiny:<\/p>\n
“I’m a Christian now\u2026The people I don’t understand are atheists. I go surfing and snowboarding and I’m always around nature. I look at everything and think, ‘Who couldn’t believe there’s a God? Is all this a mistake?’ It just blows me away.”\u00a0 (Source: http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm0908094\/bio)<\/p>\n
Of course, I realize that salvation and eternity in heaven is not granted to someone simply because he\/she claims to be a Christian, but it appears to me that Walker was a person who lived out the convictions of someone who followed Jesus.\u00a0 My hope is that he is rejoicing in the presence of the Savior and reunited with his loved ones.<\/p>\n
My hope, as well, is that Walker\u2019s untimely death serves as a timely reminder that our journey here on earth is tentative at best, because that\u2019s the way he lived!\u00a0 Listen to God\u2019s perspective on this matter:<\/p>\n
So be careful how you live;<\/i>\u00a0be mindful of your steps<\/i>.<\/i><\/b> Don\u2019t run around like idiots<\/i>\u00a0as the rest of the world does<\/i>.<\/b> Instead, walk as the wise!\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/b>Make the most of every\u00a0living and breathing\u00a0<\/b>moment because these are evil times<\/i> (Ephesians 5:15-16, The Voice<\/i>).<\/p>\n Paul Walker was \u201cmindful of his steps,\u201d and we should be, as well.<\/p>\n The Lord has probably not called you to be a famous actor, but He has given you the responsibility to \u201cmake the most of every living and breathing moment.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n How? For many people, this sounds like yolo, or some other worldview that justifies living for pleasure and selfish pursuits.\u00a0 But the word in the original language of the Bible for \u201cmake the most\u201d is literally translated \u201credeem.\u201d\u00a0 It has in mind something that is purchased out of slavery into freedom.\u00a0 In other words, making the most out your life requires a conscious effort and even a sacrifice, so you can break free from the slavery of our natural narcissism.<\/p>\n If we don\u2019t specifically look for every opportunity to serve others, live with excellence, and exemplify compassion in the name of Jesus Christ, we will default to the bondage of meaningless and ultimately worthless lifestyle that is all too common in our culture.<\/p>\n But if we, like Walker, view our time on earth as a gift that can be \u201cpurchased back\u201d from futility for God\u2019s glory, we will find a joy and contentment that is impossible to retain when we simply live for ourselves.<\/p>\n One way that Walker exemplified this truth was through his generous efforts to help the victims of natural disasters.\u00a0 In 2009, he established a non-profit organization called Reach Out Worldwide, and part of the proceeds from The Fast and The Furious 6<\/i> DVD are being donated to continue his legacy.<\/p>\n So my question would be this\u2026what is your \u201creach out worldwide\u201d?\u00a0 You see, I believe one of the best ways we can honor the people we admired when they pass away is to emulate their godly characteristics.\u00a0 Walker had a heart for people devastated by nature, do we have a heart for souls devastated by their sin nature?\u00a0 Are we willing to redeem our time here on earth for THE Cause of Christ?<\/p>\n If not, then in many ways we are wasting the opportunity to honor the memory of Paul Walker, a Christian who wanted to make the most of every living and breathing moment.<\/p>\n Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, may he rest in peace and rejoice in the presence of his Father.<\/p>\n \nFlashpoint: <\/b><\/p>\n Paul Walker’s tragic death is a stark reminder of how important the gift of life really is. \u00a0This week, focus on each and every opportunity God gives you to live each and every moment to the fullest and for His glory. \u00a0In the midst of evil, darkness and suffering, only Jesus can bring light.<\/p>\n Accelerant:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pray:<\/b> Dear Father, we pray for the Walker family, that you would comfort them in their loss and redeem this tragedy in ways that bring good out of pain. \u00a0Give us a love for life and desire to make the most of every opportunity for THE Cause of Christ.<\/p>\n Read:<\/b> Ephesians 5:16:<\/b> Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.<\/i><\/p>\n Get: <\/b>Compassion International\u2019s Gift Catalog<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0 <\/b>Like Paul Walker, maybe you feel a draw to help those around the world who are struggling just to survive. Check out Compassion International\u2019s Gift Catalog and organize an effort among your friends or youth group to raise enough money to donate an item of your choosing. Just $18 buys a mosquito net. $14 feeds a mom and baby for a month. Check out the wide range of one-time giving options in the Compassion Gift Catalog.<\/a><\/p>\n \n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Discussion Guide for Leaders<\/b><\/p>\n Big Idea<\/b>: Paul Walker\u2019s tragic death is a reminder that we need to make the most of all the opportunities we have in life- especially for THE Cause.<\/p>\n Key Scripture:<\/b> Ephesians 5:15-16<\/p>\n Discussion Questions:<\/b><\/p>\n Once again, our tragedy-weary ears were subjected to unexpected and tragic news.\u00a0 Actor and humanitarian Paul Walker had been killed, alongside his friend, in a horrific and gut-wrenching auto accident. It\u2019s not so much that Walker was a more valuable or worthy person compared with the thousands who perished in the recent typhoon in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7444,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_eb_attr":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[89,78,17,29,13,79,15,39,21,43,92,33,90,77],"class_list":["post-7443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soul-fuel","tag-bible-study","tag-devotional","tag-evangelism","tag-evangelism-training","tag-featured","tag-free-devo","tag-free-resource","tag-high-school-ministry","tag-outreach-resources-for-youth-ministry","tag-relevant-ways-to-share-the-gospel","tag-soul-fuel","tag-student-ministry","tag-teen-culture","tag-teenagers"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n