Can I, as your friend and your pastor, suggest that you start preparing for that event right now? Start investing your life.

How? Look at the following "Life Investment Guide". Evaluate yourself. Put an "X" on the line showing what percentage of your talent you are using for God right now. Put an "O" where you would like to be six months from now. Estimate what percentage of your time each week you're investing in spiritual growth and ministry (helping other people). There are 168 hours a week. If you're giving 16 hours, that's 10 percent. Put an "O" for your six-month goal. Evaluate what percent of your money you are investing in God's kingdom. Set a faith goal — an "O" — for the next six months.

The wisest investment you will ever make is not with Paine-Webber, Merrill Lynch or anybody else. The wisest investment you will ever make is when you say, "God, I want to make the rest of my life count for eternity. I give it to you, whatever it is. I'm tired of playing Mickey Mouse. I'm going to get in the game. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines. I'm not going to be a spectator."

Only one life will soon be past

Only what's done for Christ will last.

I received a card a few weeks ago: "By God's grace I'm going to do all I can to help make my church all God wants it to be. I'm thrilled to have a small part and I pledge all my time, talents and treasure to accomplish God's will for my life in this fellowship."

Saddleback is an example of how God takes very ordinary people and does extraordinary things through them. That is the testimony of this church — that God has taken very ordinary people who would make commitments like this and God has done incredible things.

How do I start investing my life?

First, find a church family. Get involved and join a church family — Saddleback or someplace. We don't believe everybody is supposed to be a member of this church. But you need to find a place. You need to make a commitment and not be a shopper — a hopper — who floats around.

Second, start growing, maturing and developing. Learn the basic habits of the Christian life. God says my ministry is determined by my makeup. Who I am determines what I do. Get involved in ministry.

I can't think of a greater thing than to stand before Jesus Christ one day and have him say, "You don't have a whole lot to show for the first part of your life, but you did get serious with Me. You made a commitment to make the rest of your life count for the things that matter — the things that are going to outlast you. You did a good job. You weren't perfect, you had a lot of faults and sins and bloopers, but you made the effort. Well done, thou good and faithful servant." At that point you will say, "It was worth it!"

Prayer: I challenge you to make a very specific commitment. If you have not specifically joined a church family, why not? What are you waiting on?

"Father, thank You that You've given us talents, abilities, gifts, skills and opportunities. You've given us such a great privilege — even the privilege of living in such a beautiful area. We know with privilege comes responsibility. Help us make our lives count. Help us not be like others who are living simply for today, but help us live for eternity. In Jesus' name. Amen."

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Rick Warren is Pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, CA. He is a Contributing Editor of Preaching.