People all over the world on Facebook, morning talk shows, “X”, Tik Tok, and other social media sites are making their own “bucket lists” and sharing their plans for dream vacations, life after retirement, life after winning the lottery, life after all the children are gone, and even life before death.
They are busy putting together the necessary logistical and financial plans to make sure they can fulfill their desires. Reservations at lavish resorts, mountain climbing expeditions, and safari hunts are all on the rise.
Movies like “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, “The Last Holiday” starring Queen Latifah, and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” a romantic flick from 1998, started the Bucket List conversation.
While Stella Payne, played by Angela Bassett, held our attention with her love interest, a handsome young Islander, Winston Shakespeare, played by Taye Diggs, Delilah Abraham, played by Whoopi Goldberg, was slowly dying. Many of us paid little attention to Delilah’s plight until her death was staring back at us through the silver screen. In case you didn’t know, the trip to Jamaica was one of Delilah’s “bucket list” desires.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Don’t forget Tyler Perry’s “The Family That Preys Together” starring Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.
What might have been perceived as an exclusive experience associated with the rich and the chronically ill is now part of the common vernacular spoken in the local malls and nail shops of middle class Americans.
Yesterday’s phenomenon is now thought of by many as a mere novelty. It is used to describe potential sexual partners, eating exotic foods, buying expensive fashions, and attending rock concerts. Young and old, sick and well, rich and poor all are developing a “bucket list.”
The question “What is on your bucket list?” can be heard from the projects to the pulpit. People who take the time to develop a “bucket list” are prepared to go to the mat, scale tall mountains, and swim deep rivers to complete their list.
As a preacher of the Gospel, my concern is whether or not non-Christians are placing their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Salvation) on their “bucket list” between surviving on “Naked and Afraid” and appearing on “The Price is Right.”
Thus, I’m reminded of Luke 12:17-20 — “And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years: take thine ease, eat drink and be merry. But God said to him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided?”
Friends, the thoughts of the rich man mentioned in the aforementioned scriptures are likened to a “bucket list.” He sought self-satisfaction motivated by a sense of urgency and un-fulfillment. He embarked upon an enormous task without counting his personal cost.
He never once considered himself to be an instrument in the work of the Lord. His abundance was a means for him to minister to those less fortunate than himself.
He was overly confident that he would live a joyous life without God. He failed to understand that our possessions do not give us life. He did not consider his own mortality.
He failed to understand that God’s civility is not an endorsement of sin. Finally, he did not recognize that God has the final say on life and death.
Creating your list is a good way to maximize every moment of our existence and live our lives to the fullest, directing our energies, resources, and influences toward what truly matters to us.
Friends, where you, me and our loved ones will spend eternity ought to be of the uttermost importance to us. As Christians we are taught to “seek the salvation of our loved ones, friends and acquaintances.” As baptized born again believers, let’s get the word out. Never place your acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior on tomorrow’s bucket list.
Be Bold! Be Baptized! Become a Believer, today!
There is nothing wrong with being rich (2 Chronicles 9:13-29). It may not have been the rich man’s intentions to offend God, but he did. Offending God can cause one great distress and even death (Genesis 19:26, 2 Kings 2:23-25, Mark 11:14, John 8:8) and the list goes on. We must remember God is a jealous God and will have no other god before Him (Exodus 20:5). No big house, big car, big reputation, or bucket list will exceed God’s position of importance, influence, and authority.
Friends, God too has a planned “bucket list” for our lives, a plan that will not harm but prospers us (Jeremiah 29:11). Scripture teaches us that He will not withhold any good gift from those that love Him (Psalms 84:11.) He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6.) Christ came into this world to make your life more abundant (John 10:10.) And, if exciting, enriching, alluring and intriguing adventures are what you’re looking for, add (Matthew 4:19 and 16:24) to your “bucket list.”
Matthew 6:33 teaches, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else will be added. My final word, my brothers and sisters, is that we may not have intentionally counted God out of our life’s situations. In many instances, we simply have failed to count Him in. However, the results are the same.
Rev. Alfred Carroll Sr. is founder of Alfred Carroll Ministries of Pine Bluff.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.