The Dash

I’m still reading “Soul Cravings” by Erwin McManus. I just read entry 11 and 12 under Destiny. It really got me thinking…

He told of a story about a man named Chip, who, in his last talk at Mosaic spoke about “The Dash.” When you go to a cemetery you will see the date of birth and then the date of death on everyone’s gravestone, in between the two dates there is a dash.
To those that you did not know that dash is insignificant, a mere placeholder, but for those that knew us, that dash represents the totality of our lives.

In my current career situation, I have been struggling with the knowledge that God has called me to do something much greater than I am doing, and the fact that I know he has led me to where I am, which is in a place that is far from leading me to fulfill that greater calling. I guess it is kind of like the Joseph scenario? Joseph knew the dream God had given him, but he found himself in a hole…I guess it boils down to my deep inward desire for my “Dash” to mean something, to someone, for a greater purpose. I guess the greatest struggle is the element of TIME, and knowing that one day it runs out, but I also struggle with the very human fault of envy, which is created by my seeing friends and others around me being given the freedom to fulfill that greater calling in their life. While they have their freedom…I feel as if I am wasting precious time.

Maybe, God is teaching me that my dash can mean something to someone no matter where I am. After all Joseph made an impact on the life of the cup bearer while in prison.

What will your dash mean to the world?

Nick