NOVEMBER 16, 2023

  “I would rather be ashes than dust!

I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live, not to exist.

I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.

I shall use my time.”

― Jack London

EZEKIEL 13-15

6“Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices! (14:6 ) 

HEBREWS 11:20-40

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were put to death by stoning;^e they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

JOURNAL 

Every life matters, every moment, every second. Each is a gift and is to be treasured. I've said that often...but do I really embrace it? Do I really own the moments I am given and surrender to live them to the max...to the best of my ability? I don't even need to think very long or hard on that question to definitively answer no.  I slack and rebel and indulge in distractions when real life and real opportunities await. Opportunities to love, connect, forgive, make right. If I knew that today was it...how would I live it differently?

Honestly that question has always been a mind numbing question because it terrifies me. To consider that today and these moments might be my last puts me into a panic...so many things to say and do and give. I would rather just take hope that I have another 50 years and plenty of time to do the really important stuff. But that's not reality because I really just don't know. Why not begin today to do the really important...why not begin today to do what matters most and if I get another day, another week, another month, another year, another 45, 50...then it would be well lived, lived with purpose and passion. Why would I settle for anything less? What is the purpose in shrinking back from life, from not confronting the day with the eager anticipation of the amazing opportunities of which I am afforded.  There is no point or purpose in holding anything back...give it all...give everything I have to give, live today with full passion and intensity. It is a gift and to not treat it as such is insulting to those who no longer can take a full breath, walk, run, speak, listen, read, write, pray, hug, kiss, think, forgive and most importantly LOVE.

I don't believe that this is the end...I do believe our lives continue. I do take comfort in believing that more life exists beyond my last breath. Yet I believe that should be no excuse or reason to not make the most of the gift of today. It is my hope and responsibility to own today, own this moment. I pray that I hold onto this prayer and these thoughts, I pray that they mark the rest of my days as ones lived in gratefulness and passion for this life and the opportunities God has blessed me.  

Thank you Father for life, for the life of others, for the impact they have had on this world and all the ways you have blessed us through them.  Help me not to take one second for granted but help me to be ever mindful of the gift of today.

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

JOHN 10:10