Years ago after a Billy Graham crusade, Ray Stedman slipped into a seat on a bus beside a young man who had gone forward in the meeting that night and given his heart to Christ. Pastor Stedman spoke to him of what his new life would mean, and mentioned that he could now be free from all fear of death. The young man turned and looked the older man in the eye and said, “I have never been much afraid of death. But I’ll tell you what I am afraid of—I’m afraid I’ll waste my life.”

Fear is deep within each of us. It manifests itself in many ways. But I think that young man spoke for you and me. No one wishes to waste his life.