I was reminded of this true story at a Men’s Conference recently, but everyone can learn from it. William Whiting Borden, the heir of the Borden dairy estate, received a trip around the world as a gift from his parents after his High School graduation. Borden, a Christian, traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe and felt a growing burden for lost people. He wrote home and informed his parents that he was going to give his life in preparation for the mission field. And after making that decision, William Borden wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserves."
He enrolled in Yale. William started a Prayer and Bible study group there which grew to over 1000 participants by his senior year. He was gifted and his zeal for the Lord was evident. Upon graduation in 1909, Borden turned down over 50 high-paying job offers. He was determined to fulfill the call that God had placed upon his life. He wrote two more words in his Bible: "No retreat."
After graduating from Princeton Seminary, he went to Egypt to study Arabic, so he could minister to the Muslims. He contracted spinal meningitis and died at the age of 25. Shortly before his death he added these words to the back of his Bible: "No regrets."
Paul said, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well”.… Philippines 3:13-15
Borden's life summed up this Scripture: No reserves. No retreat. No regrets. What is your life saying?
