One Year to Live

Photo by cerasaragirl

“On the average day, we live caught up in ourselves. On the average day, we don’t consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life truly is a vapor.”

- Francis Chan (Crazy Love)

Think for a moment with me... What if you were given the knowledge that in 2012 your life would somehow end. How different would your life look like from what you were doing last week or from a few months ago? What would your new passions, priorities and goals be with this new-found knowledge? What would people remember you for in ten, twenty or hundred years from now? Would your love for people and God be a consistent theme in your life?

After our Christmas Eve service this year, our family drove a mile up the road to visit my mother-in-law's grave site. As we huddled together in the dark and cold of that night, amidst the tears and laughter, one thing resonated with us all... she was a precious soul. She loved her family beyond words. She was meek and so humble. She never complained even through years of battling cancer. Her overwhelming virtuous character and obvious love for the Lord were truly the things we remember most about her. What would people say about you if they huddling by your grave a year from now?

David reminds us in Psalms 39,

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered—

how fleeting my life is.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.

My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;

at best, each of us is but a breath.”

Our lives are incredibly brief. One day you will be gone. The Bible describes our lives as a mist, vanishing, a moment, a breath, the width of our hand. If your life ended in 2012 would God be honored with the life you lived?

How many times this past year have you had regrets? Regrets over not doing something you knew you needed to do or say. Regrets over harsh words that came out of your mouth. Regrets for not giving more. Regrets for not slowing down to spend time with those most important to you. I can tell you... I know I've had too many.

But that's where Christ enters the scene. We all have regrets and ways we wish we could change. Why not make 2012 your year to be who Christ truly wants you to be. Don't rely on New Year's resolutions to make yourself better... anything conjured up by guilt and shame will definitely fall by the wayside at some point. Find every possible way to simply enjoy Christ. Find your treasure and joy in Him. Only through Him will you experience the grace and love you need to help you iron out those parts of your life that need a little repairing... we all have them.

I pray all those who read this post will strive to truly live more like Christ in 2012 and beyond if God allows. May our actions, words and thoughts be a reflection of the grace we find in Jesus. Let this grace filter down to our relationships and anyone we encounter.

Would you be thrilled if your life ended in 2012 because you had the reassurance you passionately pursued the things of God and found your joy in Him alone and in turn, had a successful ending to your journey on earth? May this be our prayer as long as we breathe.

The clock is ticking... go do your thing!