Two incidents this week have caused me to think deeply about how we live our lives. On Tuesday a good friend who I enjoyed many great times with passed away. Last night I received a phone call to tell me that my best friend's brother has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.
I don't know about you but moments like these do indeed force me to look ore closely at the kind of life I lead. Am I busy doing the things that are good while the things that are important simply receive no attention at all? Family, friends, stuff I value and enjoy, the things that make a difference are sacrificed for the immediate, the urgent, those things we think we need to do to remain valued and valuable in life.
While I understand the importance of work, income and satisfaction, is there not a small possibility that the value and time we place on these things is actually more than they deserve?
I watch people who have been financially wise for the future unable to enjoy life now, others strive for great success in work or sport and miss out on the good stuff which simply passes them by.
The interesting thing about both these (and other incidents) is that they were unexpected; they happened while we were busy planning for life. Life is to be lived now and can not be put off. This is not suggesting Hedonism but it is suggesting attending to now, and now to those things that matter. Not putting off until tomorrow the hugs, kisses, adventures, time out etc we can do now. Just do it now.
People do not remember you for what you were planning to do, but what you have done and are doing now.
3 comments:
Hi RedShoes Walking,
First let me offer my condolences to you: it's devastating for a loved one to become ill or die, but having both happen so close together in time is catastrophic. May the Lord care for your best friend's brother and help the family of the recently passed during this difficult time.
I'm not a bloke, but I do attend St. Jude's and totally agree that it's so important to reevaluate your priorities when tragedy hits. People spend so much time worrying about money (even though given the financial climate this is not surprising) that they forget that there are many ways you can still "live for the moment" without blowing the budget. I often find it's so much better to have a meal at home in order to both save money and enjoy the company of your family as you prepare the meal. It also gives you the opportunity to use the leftover money to help out a needy family so that they too can have fun during the Christmas season and put off their financial worries for a little while.
Merry Christmas, RedShoes Walking. Perhaps your feet will receive a green pair under the tree this year so that the red ones don't get too lonely.
I too would like to offer my condolances.
However, let us not forget that all things come under the soverignty of God and that perhaps this financial crisis (and indeed other disasters) happen so that we may fix our eyes unto Jesus - the author and perfector of our faith.
"While I understand the importance of work, income and satisfaction, is there not a small possibility that the value and time we place on these things is actually more than they deserve?" - Redshoes Walking.
You must also remember Red, that for many people, thier work, income and ultimately satisfaction IS their love and family. It is what they get up for in the morning, think about when they are at home at night. God created us to work and tender the land (Genesis). I can however see your point about too much emphasis - thats why it is also important to ground ourselves in people who will speak harshly too us.
Thanks Anon for your comments. I am sure that in the midst of disaster we are also in the midst of life. That is, we are called to find the meaning for ourselves in those happenings which seemed to be devoid of meaning at the moment they are experienced. The Bible is full of moments where God was encountered within what was, for all intents and purposes, overwhelmning circumstances. Our faith in Jesus as God's Son and our Lord is not only tested but proven in these very same moments.
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