October 23, 2012
Haven't blogged in nearly 2 months. Mainly because I am just living my life in a new place. Still getting "settled", making it our home, adjusting to new surroundings, enjoying new experiences and building new relationships. Which brings me to the purpose of this blog. To my readers I ask the question, "What is life about?" For all that know me, truly understand my "heart", they will already know the answer that I would give to that question. I am curious what others out there in blog land believe life is about.
For me, it's very simple. Life is about 2 things-both of which can be found in the Bible, God's holy word. These 2 things are fairly simple, yet Jesus reminds us that they are the "greatest" commands. Even though they may sound fairly simple, they are sometimes difficult to keep in "focus" during our day to day lives. Simply put...#1-love the Lord God w/all of your heart, mind, and soul and #2-love your neighbor as yourself. The wisest man to ever live tells us in Ecclesiastes that "The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments". Because I am a child of God, this is what I try to live in my life each and every day. I try to remain focused on what is important for "eternity"...not just today. Eternity is what life is all about! I read this morning, a challenge, where someone had suggested that everyone read in the book of Ecclesiastes. After reading the passage, someone else commented that the writer needed "prozac" and how we should just live and enjoy this life for all it is....the implication being that this IS all there is. Oh dear reader how that made my soul sad. I am sorry for anyone that believes that this earthly life is all there is. I am sorry that they don't understand God/His love and desire to dwell within the hearts of all mankind. However, though many perhaps would not be as bold to say it, I fear that we often live our lives as though we believe that lie. The lie that Satan tells us all-"this life is all there is...live it up, enjoy it, then you die".
Why is this on my heart today? It is because once again, the crushing brutal reality of this world and the "death" Satan brought into it has yet again affected those that I love. My heart aches because my niece, Amber, has lost her Mom (only 40 yrs of age), in a sudden/unexpected way. I have seen a lot of tragedy in my lifetime that has affected myself and those I love dearly. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I am always so sensitive to those that are affected by tragedy, I understand the pain, I've experienced it. You might say, "isn't every death tragic"? For me the answer would definitely be "no". Some death is "expected". We all know that our bodies are not designed to keep functioning effectively for periods of time longer than about 70 years...that's what God says and He is the Creator. Yes, there are people that live longer lives than that. But, still we do understand that death is an imminent part of living in this world. For me, that's what makes it SO sad when others believe that this life is all there is. What a hopeless thought. Tragedy is when someone that is "young" leaves this life well before what is considered their "appointed time". Granted, a loss is a loss, regardless of the age of the person we have lost. But certainly the affect that a given death has on a family/community is VERY different when that person is young, has young children, etc...
As I think about the days ahead for my niece and her siblings, I am reminded of so many passages of scripture. First, that "life is a vapor". So, knowing and understanding this-how do I live my life each day that demonstrates this? Do I live "like there's no tomorrow"? Am I careful to be thoughtful in my words-encouraging those around me to remember what's important-to love God and others. Do I keep my life activity/busy schedule/priorities in an order that God desires...remembering that this life is here one day and gone the next? Am I living my life prepared for eternity by "loving" Him first and others second?
Second, I am reminded that God is the giver of all good things. Satan brought death into this world, but it is God that brought the resurrection of the dead through His Son, Jesus Christ. Do I live each moment of the day reminded of all of the "good" God has given to me/blessed me with? Do I complain that life is "unfair" or do I fully understand/accept that this life is not supposed to be "fair"? This life is designed to be a preparing ground for eternity. A time that we become "dependent" upon God for His strength, love and support. A time that we learn without Him, life is meaningless and eternity hopeless.
Finally, do I live in such a way that would honor the lives of those who have gone before me? Whether we are talking about military members who have fought for my freedom, a family member/friend that was tragically taken from this life, or most importantly Jesus who bought freedom from sin to all those that obey Him and are washed in His blood. The life I live affects other people. Just as those that have left this life before us affected many lives-whether for good or evil. A person is never an island. We are built/designed to live in community, therefore our lives will/do affect other people. Even the most introverted person's life affects other people in some way. Perhaps it's only in a person's death that we come to understand/contemplate the affect that they have had on others. That's a shame. We really should take notice NOW/TODAY of the affects that other people are having on our lives and that we have in theirs. We should take the time to TELL the people around us those things-whether good or bad. We need to make one another accountable for our time here on this earth. Remind one another to live for eternity. If someone is making/has made a positive difference in your life-tell them that. Encourage them so that they can live/love others even more deeply and positively affect even more people. If someone around you is affecting you negatively-tell them that. Explain to them how they are hurting you and those around them while reminding them of the importance of eternity and keeping life in proper perspective.
I was blessed to know/spend time with my niece's Mom, Christy. She was a part of our family for the last 16 years. She was a blessing to all that knew her. I am glad that I told her that/encouraged her-for she in turn did the same for me, many times. Christy would comment on my blog-particularly when I wrote about my Mom. She knew/adored my Mom and always reminded me of the powerful influence my Mom was on her. Christy was "there" for our family during my Mom's death. She was loyal beyond measure in helping my Dad keep the house cleaned "just the way" Mom did. She often remarked about how she knew that would make my Mom happy and that it was helping my Dad get through that time until he could find his OWN way and figure out what he could live with in regards to housekeeping. When I think of Christy, I think of love for family, loyalty to family, and lots of laughter. She had a heart full of joy and laughed often. She had her share of trials in this life and she did not live her life in perfection. But, she certainly was a woman that understood what was "important", she lived her life in love. Now, she will live on through my niece and her 2 siblings. Her legacy is left behind in 3 breathing souls that now have the opportunity to honor their Mom's life through living their own with "remembrance" of all that she taught them. The irony of it all is that Christy's life/my Mom's life mirror one another so very much. Christy was a YOUNG Mom (17)-so was my Mom (16). Christy was a YOUNG Grandma (39)-so was my Mom (38). Christy's life ended in a sudden/unexpected way at a YOUNG age (40)-so did my Mom's (50). Another irony...my niece and I have lives that have mirrored one another-we both had YOUNG Mom's-but were blessed that they loved us enough to keep us, raise us as their own, and become strong women that others admire/look up to. We both lost our Mom at a very tender time in our own lives-when our own children were young. I know what pain/heartache my niece is experiencing. I know how difficult it is to think about your own children never having the blessing/pleasure of KNOWING your Mom. But, the one thing I have perspective on that my niece hasn't had enough life experience yet to understand-is that though her Mom is removed from her physically, her influence is ever with her. My niece wrote today on her fb page, "I just want to hear my Mom's voice". I told her to "listen" and she would hear it. I believe that. No, she will not "audibly" hear her Mom's voice w/her ears...but she will with her heart. She will KNOW what her Mom is saying to her, wants for her, etc...because she has been blessed to have a Mom that loved her, taught her about the important things in life, showed her how to love others through her example, etc...her "voice" will always be with her through each day of her life.
So reader-what is life about. Life is about "hearing" the voice. What voice you may ask? The voice that Jesus repeatedly reminded the disciples of during His time here on earth. The voice of God. Numerable times throughout scripture, Jesus tells His disciples to "he that has ears, let him hear." Jesus is saying the same thing to us..."listen" to His voice. Hear what He is saying. Come to know and understand WHY you are put on this earth and what this life is all about. Loving God and loving others. It's THAT simple. Now, let God speak to you, hear His voice through His holy word. Live your life in a way that honors God-through loving Him first and others. THAT my friend is what life is all about. I feel blessed to have shared just a little part of "life" with Christy and am thankful for the love she showed me.
