A recent auction, coupled with a book, and a lesson from Church History is how I'm prompted to right about what it means to live on purpose.
First let me start with a bit of nostalgia.
I grew up with Borden's Milk delivered to our house. As a kid we looked for the milk man's stop. I don't remember how long home deliveries took place, but I've visited England several times and the tradition is still alive and well there.
When the deliveries stopped we bought our Borden's milk at the local grocery store.
A nostalgic memory that was revived at a recentauction where old bottles were up for sale.
Recently a young friend sent me a book and a story
that caught my attention was about William Borden.
The Borden family began their milk business in the latter part of the 19th century. William Borden was the son of William Borden, the founder of Borden Milk. The elder William married Mary Whiting and William Jr. was born Nov. 1, 1882 (so happy 131st birthday this next Friday). It's safe to say that William was raised in an affluent household; but also a Christ-centered one. His mother took him to the old Chicago Avenue Church - which eventually became Moody Church - and he grew up listening to the amazing preaching and teaching of R.A. Torrey. (By the way, I once was asked in a class room who I thought was the greatest teacher/preacher of the church - a daunting question to say to least - but I had to admit that one of the greatest had to be R.A. Torrey, so if you're not familiar with him, take a look at some of his writings/exposition, and you'll see why I said that).
William Borden grew up in both affluence and faith...which is not an easy tension to live out. When he graduated from high school in 1904, his parents sent him on a trip around the world - not a bad present! It was on this trip that he saw the poverty of a world that looked much different than his wealthy Chicago life. It placed a heavy burden on his heart, and he found himself wondering and praying - what should/can I do? He made a decision to become a Missionary. He wrote home explaining to his parents his decision and they asked him to finish his University training before making the decision final.
When he returned home he entered Yale University - it was 1905 and he was 22 years old. He was an excellent student and applied himself to both his studies and his faith. He started prayer groups and a Mission to reach out to the poor of lower Boston, seeking to lead people to Christ in all his work. He graduated with honors in 1909 and went on to Princeton Seminary to become prepared in Biblical and theological studies where again he excelled again.
Finally with his university and seminary training behind he faced some pressure to stay home. His family's wealth and influence opened many doors to take any number of high paying offers in business - he declined them all.
He sailed to Egypt in order to learn Arabic - his goal to be a missionary to Muslim's in Western China.
He never got there.
While in Egypt, at the age of 25, he came down with Spinal Menigitis. A highly infectious disease - at that time it was usually fatal. William Borden died at the age of 25.
The family, his friends, the world was shocked. How could a 25 year old committed to serving Christ see his life cut short like that? There are no answers to those questions.
Amazingly, when his affects were returned they discovered his bible, filled with notes and resolves. At each point in his life he kept turning things over to Christ seeking God's will.
When he decided to become a missionary he wrote - "No Reserves"
When he rejected the high paying job offers after graduation - "No retreats"
When he knew that death was at his door, he scratched the words - "No Regrets"
William Borden died "way to young" in our estimation - but he lived with those words in his purposed filled short life, and in that way he lived with more affect than many a person lives when they live to be 80!
One of things he wrote summed up his purposes well:
A man in Christ
He arose and forsook all and followed Him,
Kindly affectioned with brotherly love,
Fervent in spirit serving the Lord,
Rejoicing in hope,
Patient in tribulation,
Instant in prayer,
Communicating to the necessity of saints,
In honour preferring others,
Apart from faith in Christ,
There is no explanation for such a life.
This is life to the fullest...this is life filled with meaning...this is life that can be truly said to be lived with no regrets.
Peace
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