Confucius said…
Recently I just heard someone repeat the above Confucius’ quote. It is a sentiment that can be expressed in many different ways: You only get one go around on this merry-go-round of life; Carpe Diem; Make the most of today; You only have one life to live; We only have now.
It is kind of sad that generally, those who realize that life is incredibly short are those who are of a certain age and have more life behind them than in front. Or those who have experienced chronic illness or tragedy at a younger age. In either case, it is a question of staring down mortality and realizing that this is it. Today. Here and now.
Why do we think we have all the time in the world?
Of course, there are hours and days that seem to drag on. And on. And on. Mostly, those are times of unpleasant or difficult situations. Those are the days that seem to never end.
Or we think that once we have achieved … (fill in the blank) or obtained… (fill in the blank), THEN we can move on or do something. I know I have felt that way and have delayed truly living my life. Even with doing something small like starting a writing task, home project or inviting neighbors to dinner. But if we wait for everything to be “perfect” with “perfect conditions”, nothing will happen. The book won’t get written. The room won’t get painted. The opportunity to meet new friends will be gone.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I spend my days and ultimately my life. On one hand, I realize that if I die tomorrow, that is it- I have done all that God wanted me to do. Yet I feel that I am not ready to die. I feel like I have more to offer and to do. As always, it is a balance of life: to recognize that we only have today and that we shouldn’t waste the day but to also realize that we should not feel stressed and “burn the candle on both ends” in trying to achieve everything. All at once.
It is interesting to see all the books and articles written about “how to have a fulfilling life”. (Google it and you will be amazed at what pops up.) Almost all of the resources talk about purpose and meaning in one’s life. Or living an authentic life. Sometimes, in my global, practical thinking mode I laugh. Only in a society of excess- excess of time and resources, can we do this navel gazing: how to be happy and fulfilled. When one is struggling to survive, these type of existential questions might not come up. And yet. These are questions that have plagued humankind since the beginning of time.
I think this search for meaning is part of our God-shaped vacuum in our souls, to paraphrase Blaise Paschal. But just because one may be filling one’s soul with God, it doesn’t mean that purpose, meaning and authenticity comes automatically. It is still a struggle to be in the world but not of it- to not be influenced by others but be the influence on others that God called us. We can do that by being kind, good, charitable, humble, and loving. By working heartily at whatever task God has called us. It might even require us to look at some of the articles by learned peoples to help us get the most out of living the best life God wants for us. Or studying what some of the ancients have written. After all, God put them on this earth and gave them a purpose too.
What about you? Do you ever wonder about your life? Do you feel that your life is fulfilled? Authentic? Filled with meaning and purpose? Are you in the world but not of it? How do you practice that?
“Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (The Voice)
I have heard the expression, “the days are long but the years are short” in relationship to rearing children. I think that applies to our lives. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to live my authentic life- fully filled with and for God.
Shameless Plug: I received my copy of two books that I have had the privilege to contribute to both of them.
According to my editor, the All God’s Creatures devotionals are now available at: www.guideposts.org/shop. 15% discount. Use code: AUTHOR15. Official release date September 9 but can be pre-ordered at Amazon, etc.
Also available at: guideposts.org/shop. Wide release to retailers (Amazon, etc) on October 14.
What would you do with....?
$604,800.
What would you do if you received that amount of money in your checking account every week? The caveat is that you have to use it all, each week with no carry over. The money can be spent or given away. It cannot be saved or squirreled away.
Recently I heard this question on the radio and I first wondered, “Is this a new advert for the state’s lottery?”
Then as the announcer explained, it became clear. There are 604,800 seconds in a week. Each one of us is given that time to use. If we don’t use it, we lose it.
It made me think of the story of the Israelites in the desert and their daily provision of manna. They were only to collect the amount of manna they would use in a day- no more, no less. Whatever amount each gathered, it became an omer. (“They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” Exodus 16: 17,18). If they tried to hold it over to the next day, it would spoil. The only exception was for the Sabbath. They could collect double what they needed on Friday so that on Saturday they would not have to work and gather their food. That extra portion of food collected on Friday did not spoil.
Talk about a teachable moment- what a great visible example and daily lesson that the Israelites learned: trusting God to provide their needs. In leaning on Him for their sustenance, they would experience just how much God knew everything about their needs. He provided a system so that no one could “game” it: those who took too much received the same amount as those who took too little. Since it became a level playing field, the Israelites couldn’t rely on their gathering ability. They could only rely on the God who provided the meal. God knows us so intimately that He can provide just the right amount of what we need at just the right time in order for us to survive and thrive.
It makes me think that God provides us with just the right amount of time, no more, no less, each day. Each day may bring about pleasantries or troubles. Regardless, there is enough time in each day for that day and what occurs. Jesus reminds us of that when He talked about not being anxious. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34). There is enough to worry about each day, not to “borrow trouble” or borrow time and trouble from the future.
We have to concentrate on the day that we are given. Earlier in the passage in Matthew, Jesus talks about the natural world and its beauty. Designed by God to be beautiful, the flowers don’t worry about their appearance. Neither are we to be anxious about our life’s situations: we are to enjoy the moments and all (good and bad) that each day brings.
I like the idea of thinking that seconds are like money that cannot be stored. But not in a negative or punitive way that time and money will be taken away. Just that each day I get to start over just like each week begins the use of money from the original question. Each day I start with the bank account of seconds. I get to choose how wisely I use it. Of course, we all want to be wise with money. To see that the money is invested well. But do I invest my time well? Do I engage in activities that benefit me and others? Do I make the seconds, minutes, hours or days count? What makes a day “count”?
I also recently listened to my nephew’s latest sermon (Click here to listen) and I was struck with the idea that God created all things good. I knew that, yet I always associated purpose with that. God didn’t create all things to have only a specific purpose, although they do. He created also for beauty. “And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.” (Genesis 2:9) When God created, He did rest and enjoy the creation: to enjoy the beauty of the created. I like the idea that the things God creates also produce beauty and therefore joy in our lives.
I think deep down we know that a day is worthwhile when we give it away- helping others in some shape or form: time listening or lending a helping hand. Part of the giving away is through our role as co-creators with God. We are God’s image bearers and so we are wired to create. Our purpose is to create whether we think in terms of classic “creators” - the fine arts- or how we create through our interactions and care of one another. We long to find purpose in our days and I think that is what gives meaning to those seconds.
But I am also learning that a day is worthwhile when it is enjoyed. Whether that is from observance of the natural world, the delight through human interaction or discovery of new ideas. A day is worthwhile because God has given it to us with just the right amount of time and activity for that day. No more, no less.
What about you? Do you ever think about your day and the time spent or to be spent? What would you do if you were given a large amount of money each day? How would you “use it up”? Would you purchase something of beauty? What would that be? Would you give it away?
How can you best use the time you are given? Giving it “away”? Investing in others? Enjoying the beauty of the world? Creating something beautiful? What would that be?
Once again, life is about moderation and balance. Time should be seen as gifts and graces: items we receive that we do not deserve. Our response to that gift is a choice: one of gratitude and use.
Words
In cleaning out my dad's home we have had to sort through many books. Even though my dad is a reader, most of the books were significant to my mom. With each book I can see her lovingly cradle it in her arthritic hands as she would describe, sometimes in great detail, (no summarization for her) the book. She loved a good turn of phrase, a corny joke or a deep morally convicting story.
On the bookshelves I found newly published books as well as older ones. The older ones weren't necessarily classics or life changing tomes but still had significant words, ideas and thoughts.
It made me think about our words. Those older published books that my mother saved, don't seem relevant or significant today but must have meant something to her at the time.
I thought how true that is with words, stories or ideas that once resonated with me. Sometimes they still have meaning, but other times they no longer capture my attention as once before.
Then I thought- do words always have to be life changing? Can't they sometimes be significant or meaningful just for the moment?
Even the most life changing words, those words from the Bible, speak to me at different times and different seasons in my life. And while it is life changing, I think of the psalmist words, "thy words are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". Like a light in the dark that just gets you to the next place down the road, sometimes the words are just what we need to get to the next stop.
What about you? What words do you like? What has been life changing for you? What can you say today that might be just the right words for someone else, for just today?
What is Your Chief Aim?
Taken at the US Botanical Gardens in Washington DC. A place where one can see, smell and experience the beauty and joy of our natural world.
If you were pursuing joy in your life, what would that look like? What activities, things, goals would you pursue? Would that pursuit brings you joy? What brings meaning into your life? Are you actively seeking it out?
When I think of joy I think of the Westminster Catechism: "What is the chief aim of man? To know God and to enjoy Him forever."
Granted, the language is a little archaic but I think the lesson is spot on. If only we would truly learn it: It is through knowing God that our lives fall into place. We recognize how He wants us to live and how He wants us to enjoy our lives. Unfortunately there are many who feel that God is a kill joy waiting for us to mess up so that He can do all sorts of bad things to us.
I do not think so. Jesus claimed that He came to bring life and to bring it abundantly. In the Old Testament, the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "however many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all". God wants us to enjoy our lives.
I think God takes pleasure and joy out of His creation. If not, why would He create the platypus, the giraffe or a dog? All of these can bring smiles to our faces. If those things like the birds of the air and the flowers in the field bring delight to Him, how much more does He take pleasure in us, the creature He created in His own image?
And if He created all that fun and delight doesn't He want us to experience the same?
There is joy in that. Joy in the knowledge of God. Joy in the knowledge that He is in control regardless of our current situation. Joy in letting Him guide our lives. Joy in serving Him with our talents, thoughts, treasures and time. Joy in finding our purpose through Him. Joy in the knowledge that God brings meaning to our lives and with it, so much delight.