“The Greatest Tragedy
in Life is Not Death, But a Life Without Purpose.” ~ Dr. Myles Munroe
It’s been almost two weeks since the world was shocked
by the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Dr. Myles & Lady Ruth
Munroe along with seven other members of their church, family, leadership team and
aircraft crew. The news of this
tragedy quickly filled up social media and other media outlets, while many
began making phone calls and text messaging family and friends in utter disbelief
that something this tragic could happen to people who appeared almost
invincible. As I sat for many hours trying to wrap my brain around this tragic
event, I was comforted in my assurance that this man and woman lived a life of
purpose.
Dr. Myles Munroe was a game changer. He shifted our
understanding of creation helping us to understand that our lives have meaning
and significance. I can remember the first time I heard him speak live. His words
filled the room. I listened intently to his message on purpose and connected
to this truth in ways that changed my life forever. My entire life is a
testimony of the sovereign power of God and the courage to discover my life
purpose and destiny.
Quoting Dr. Munroe many times in my sermons, workshops and
writings on purpose and destiny, his sudden death makes me aware of how much
his teaching has influenced my life’s work and ministry. In fact, it was the
revelation that I received from his teaching on purpose that became the
inspiration for my first book, Run and
Not Be Weary: The Pursuit of Purpose and Destiny. In it, I offer some spiritual and practical truths in an
effort to illuminate a pathway for those who dare to make the journey toward
purpose and destiny.
One truth and
principle that we all must embrace wholeheartedly,
is that God has a definite plan for our lives. This is a comforting notion, but the chilling reality is
that it is our job to search it out, unearth the hidden treasures that God has
placed inside of us, doing the necessary work in maintaining, developing, and
maximizing our unique potential.
One of my favorite quotes by Dr. Myles Munroe is “The
richest place on the planet is the cemetery.” He posits, so many people die
with untapped potential and unrealized dreams and passion residing inside of
them. He encouraged us to “die empty”,
meaning we must live a life of purpose and leave a legacy in the earth for the
next generation to follow and build upon.
Listening to videos of some of his last messages, interviews
and candid conversations, it seemed that he was giving his closing remarks.
He began to go beyond the borders of living a single life of purpose, encouraging leaders to mentor others in such a way that those who follow have
the ability to continue the vision in the absence of the leader or in the event of a
tragedy, or in the untimely death of the leader. He stated, “Success is not success
without a successor” and “If your vision dies with you, you have failed as a
leader.”
My tribute is to
live my life in a manner that when I die, it will cause for a celebration of
the marriage and family that I enjoyed, the lives that I inspired, the women and
men that I empowered, the children that I nurtured, the books that I authored,
the songs that I sang, the sermons that I preached, the people that I coached
and mentored, the legacy that I built, and the life that I Lived On Purpose!
Rest In Peace Dr. Myles & Lady Ruth Munroe, while I did
not know you personally, I am counted among the millions of people that your
lives touched.
Dr. Toni G. Alvarado
www.drtonialvarado.com
No comments:
Post a Comment