The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23
Today marks the 3,000th daily meditation. To celebrate, let’s honor the memory of the generosity of Roberto Clemente (1934-1972), a major league baseball player who was known for his charity work. He reached the milestone of exactly 3,000 hits in 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Only 30 other players have reached that mark.
The Baseball Almanac ascribes this quote to Clemente, “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on earth.” Clemente did not waste his time and literally died trying to make a difference in this world for people who were in great need.
After an earthquake on 23 December 1972 left many in need in Managua, Nicaragua, his plane, overloaded with aid by some 4,200 pounds crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after take-off from Puerto Rico on 31 December 1972. Clemente is also quoted as saying, “I want to be remembered as a ballplayer who gave all he had to give.”
I never dreamed I’d post 3,000 daily meditations, and I pray I am able to post more than 3,000 more in the future. But way more important than that, I pray that God’s faithfulness empowers each of us to leave a similar charitable legacy as Clemente, so we are remembered for our skill in our work and our Christian generosity toward others.
And there’s never been a better time for it. Hurricanes, earthquakes, wars and other tragedies cause many to suffer, but as my brother, Dr. David Hoag, president of Warner University, whose campus was hit by Hurricane Irma, recently told me, the poor suffer far worse because in their poverty, the crisis wipes them out. Getting going again is far more difficult.
Let’s resolve to follow Clemente’s example. Offer a helping hand to a neighbor in need according to your ability. Send financial assistance or teams of workers from your church to aid those who have been wiped out. Let’s be known as Christ followers who make a difference by giving all we have to give, including our lives as an offering.
Father in heaven, thanks for 3,000 daily meditations. I’m grateful for the Scriptures and for the inspiring and often convicting quotes You have set before me to contemplate and share. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to make a difference on this earth for you. Help us not waste a day but leave a generous legacy! Make it so we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.