This life is fleeting. None of us knows our last day until it arrives. I don't say that out of a sadness. Not at all, but out of a realization that each day is full of the responsibility and calling to live it well. "Each day is a gift." Not a saying... but a truth
Switchfoot sings "Live It Well". I read an interview with them about the meaning behind the song and was delighted that it was packed full of reflections on 20 years of music, scripture and their sincere hearts seeking to share their Savior through word and song.
This scripture, Hebrews 13:14 sums it up well:
"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come."
Live well today, but don't forget this world will never truly satisfy us. Our souls were born for more.
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world," C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Keeping that focus fills each day with purpose.
When on vacation, we make the most of every minute. It is easy to forget how much life there is to live between vacations. We are called to pour love into every day... in the most ordinary ways. That is how we make an extraordinary life.
We were not born to be limited by the dash of a few decades. We were born to learn how to love God and each other. We are here to explore and discover our purpose in Him. Not pawns but chosen children. No wonder the things of this world never, truly satisfy.
"Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God--how long do we have to wait?--and treat Your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we've seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let Your servants see what You're best at--the ways You rule and bless Your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!" -Psalm 90:12-17 (MSG)
What a great reflection, prayer and goal setting verse.
"Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long."
Skipping and dancing because we are His... and He is ours.
We are to live in this world ... and live well... but we were born for more.
We were created for a relationship. In the beginning... then when the Word became flesh to be with us and to pay the price of our sins. We are to seek His heart in our time here until we take our first breath of heaven.
The past months, some of those most dear to me have lost parents. It isn't easy. All have been after a time of illness and a decline in health. All were blessed with the chance to be with them in their last days, and for some at the last breath. Hard as it is, it is a gift, too. All felt the strength of prayers joined together. Prayers continue. Love lives on.
Great grief reminds us we have known a great love. Plow through it! On the other side, the pain of the loss is softer and the memories grow sweeter.
Every breath that you take is a miracle
Life is short I wanna live it well, yeah
I wanna sing with all my heart a lifelong song
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong
'Cause I can't take none of that through the door
Yeah, I'm living for more than just a funeral
I wanna burn brighter than the dawn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_lnXy7tkQ
Today, I am grateful we can choose to live life well.
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