Hello, Happy Easter to everyone. It’s a glorious day, the day of our Lord’s resurrection.
Today I’m reminded of a story I heard some years ago about a man by the name of Alfred Nobel. A report had circulated through a French newspaper that Nobel had died. The newspaper misunderstood. Tt was Nobel’s brother, Ludwig Nobel, not Alfred, who had died. The rumor, though, spread quickly as newspaper headlines across Europe declared Alfred Nobel dead. “The merchant of death has died,” was the word that came out to everyone.
While reading his own obituary, Nobel wasn’t impressed. The things he had accomplished were less than acceptable in his mind. It occurred to him, though, that he had a second opportunity to live a life to be proud of, that he could, in fact, change his obituary.
So Alfred Nobel went to work. He made up his mind to become more than just the inventor of dynamite, which is why he was so famous anyway. He decided he would espouse good causes by giving awards we have come to know as Nobel. Today we have Nobel awards for outstanding individuals who excel in the areas of peace, chemistry, literature, etc. Ultimately Nobel more well known for the awards he gave than for inventing dynamite.
I think it’s important for us to realize that we choose every day of our lives. Nobel had to choose what he did with his life. When he changed his choices, it changed the course of his life. I love the words that Joshua said to the children of Israel as he was passing away. “Choose you this day, whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I would say to you today that, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And the great fact of hope is that you can choose to change when you want to. I suggest you begin today.