Zero to 80

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. -Ecclesiastes 3:13

I celebrated my 80th birthday earlier this year. Eighty years sounds like a long time, but the years pass quickly. In a recent speech I described the speed of my 80 years as "zero to 80 in 10 seconds."

But it's not how fast time goes that matters. What matters is how wisely we use the precious time that God has given us. Have we made the most of our opportunities? Have we followed the right path with our eye on a rewarding destination? Did we enrich other people by our words and deeds? Did we take time to reflect and celebrate our achievements?

After eight decades, I can reflect on the whirlwind of activity. What may have appeared at the time as random events and coincidences I now see as all part of God's plan for my life. As more individual pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together, the better we begin to see the whole picture.

My life has been blessed by God far beyond what could simply be called luck. I look back on a few gifts that have been constants in my life, and I'm convinced are all connected in God's plan for my life:

I was raised in a home that was short on material things but long on love. I grew up in an atmosphere that taught me that nothing is more valuable than love and that the best things in life are not things.

I was raised in a Christian home and attended a Christian church and school laying the foundation of putting Christ first in my life and living with the assurance that I am saved.

My best friend in high school became my business partner and a friend for life. I learned early the gift of true friendship and how to make and keep friends who have enriched my life in countless ways.

My wife, Helen, and I have been married for more than 50 years, raised four children and have been blessed with many grandchildren. I've never taken for granted the gift of a loving family and try never to miss opportunities to tell my wife, children, and grandchildren how much they mean to me.

I achieved success in business beyond my wildest dreams. The greatest blessings from this experience have been the satisfaction of achievement through using my God-given talents, employing thousands who support families, and sharing my success through philanthropy.

Time flies and the years seem like seconds when you look back. For me, I take great delight in seeing God's hand in each passing moment and can say with conviction, "This is the day that the Lord has made. We will be glad and rejoice in it."

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Rich DeVos is the former chairman of Gospel Communications. He is also the author of "Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life," co-founder of Amway Corp., and owner and chairman of the NBA's Orlando Magic.