The Bucket List: 2 Timothy 4.1-8

There was a popular movie out last year. The Bucket List is about two men who learn that they are going to die. Instead of giving up, they decide to live it up. Between them they have resources and they have dreams. And rather than lying down to die, they decide to live with gusto. They decide to accomplish all the things that they have always wanted to do.

What about you? Are there things that you want to accomplish? Are there risks that you are not taking? Are there things that you want to do before you "kick the bucket?" Why aren't you doing them? What is holding you back?

But there is another question that is equally important: Are there things in your life that are keeping you from accomplishing your dreams? God has a great destiny in mind for you. When you fail to live up to it it is sin. Those things- even good things- that keep you from doing what God wants are sin. So, what are your sins? What is keeping you from doing God's work? What keeps you from accomplishing your dreams- God's dreams?

In the passage at hand, Paul gives his great statement of faith as he faces the end of his life. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4.8. There is good news for us. Paul has accomplished the things on his bucket list. And... he says that we can accomplish those great things too.

So for today, let me offer you two challenges.

1. What are the dreams that you want to accomplish before you die? Write down your dreams. Pray over them. Save them. Let God work on nourishing them and making them come to pass. But begin to look out for them and work toward fulfilling your dreams. Trust God to do that work.
2. What are the sins that are keeping you from fulfilling God's promise, God's dream for your life? Write down those dream-stoppers. Pray that God will release you from them and destroy them.