A listener named Bruce writes in,

Dear Pastor John, I haven't read your book Don't Waste Your Life.

The title is convicting enough.

The fact is that I have already wasted it, or at least it feels that way.

For decades I've tried a variety of different careers, none of them worked.

I tried starting my own business for over 20 years while my wife worked.

I earned a PhD, moved to a country where I didn't speak the language for my wife's

job.

And I had a breakdown.

Several years later my wife and I separated.

I'm now 64, I live in a small mobile home, and I do work that any 18-year-old could do.

Those are my boss's words.

The company is good to me, my boss is a Christian, and I can earn a living.

But each day feels like nothing more than an exercise and waking up in the morning, getting

through the day and going to bed at night.

What advice can you give to someone who has already wasted his life?

Bruce, as I paused to pray over this question when I first heard it, I believe the Lord

brought five things to my mind for you that I hope will be of encouragement.

And of course, I don't know you, and I don't even know if you're a Christian.

And I have written and done many podcasts on the dynamics of the spiritual life, which

maybe you do or you don't have.

So I'm just going to assume the best, okay?

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