Pastors Note
Is it ever too late to change? I hope not! For some of us however it may take something dramatic to prompt the change.
My dad is a case in point. For as long as I could remember my dad smoked ... around forty a day from recollection. As I grew up there were many occasions when he talked of quitting but tobacco addiction is very strong and every effort met with the same result ... failure! Then, many years later my father quite remarkably became a Christian, as did my mother and both had a new resolve to quit smoking. Sadly more failed attempts came along and then in a point of desperation my father cried out to God ... ‘Unless you prevent me from getting to a cigarette I’ll never beat this addiction!’ Hours later my dad had a heart attack and was rushed into Morriston Hospital. His situation was extremely serious and I was told that my dad may not make it through the night.
Thankfully he did make it and when he was well enough to talk, I remember him saying to me ... ‘Dave be careful what you pray for!’ Interesting thought.
That was twenty years ago and my father has not smoked a single cigarette since. Is it ever too late to change? I don’t believe so.
If my father’s experience was dramatic can you imagine waking up to read your own obituary in the morning paper? That is exactly what happened to Alfred Nobel. Owing to a mix-up at the newspaper office, journalists confused Alfred with his brother and ran the wrong obituary. That mix up proved to be a dramatic turning point in his life.
As he read the obituary he discovered that he was viewed as a man who had made his wealth from developing weapons of war. The account sickened him and he resolved to change. He altered the terms of his will to show a different face to the world. He had high ideals for peace and progress and wanted to demonstrate in a tangible way his concern for humanity.
When Nobel died in 1896, he left the majority of his estate to endow annual prizes for those who had made the most significant contribution in each of five areas – physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The best-known I would suggest is the Nobel Peace Prize which has an illustrious list of recipients.
Alfred Nobel was 55 when he read his premature death notice, and he lived just eight more years. Interestingly my dad was around the same age when he gave up smoking, thankfully he’s still alive.
Too old to change? Let me finish with a quote that seems to sum up what I’m trying to communicate.
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
All the best