Life is NOT a game, even though we treat it that way sometimes. The spin of a wheel, the landing on a space determines what comes next. Real life doesn't work that way, although as we discover it can change in an instant, in one move, or on one space...
I was talking to someone yesterday that I hadn't spoken to in years, you know just kind of catching up on life. A life altering surgery has changed this persons life. Everything he knew has changed. Career, lifestyle, and personality in an instant.....gone. What do you do when this happens? Life has handed you something that is "unfair". This happens to people we know, maybe even you, everyday. You work hard, your an honest person, and life is going better than you could have ever imagined. In an instant it goes from smooth sailing to a train wreck, and you find yourself going through emotions such as anger, depression, and confusion. We find ourselves thinking, praying, or even saying, "hey this is not fair". The thing that we soon figure out is that fair or not it still happens.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn 10:10., NIV)
Jesus said that. Your life is not defined by the things you lose, but by the moments you gain.
I have found myself many times thinking things in life have happened that don't seem "fair". One of the hardest moment in life for us was when Brandy and I lost a child. At that moment I was totally feeling that our child's death was "unfair". In that moment I gained something much more, something that cannot be described in words, and a life lesson that will last a lifetime. A lesson that every moment, every minute, and every second of life is precious.
Life is coming home in the afternoon and your kids hugging you and kissing you because they missed you. Life is spending precious time with your better half. Life is being there to cheer your child on when they miss or make a play in basketball. Life is taking care of your pets. Life is cleaning the house. Life is supporting the ones you love. Life is going to the store. Life is family reunions. Life is weddings and funerals. Life is when you clean up a scrape on a knee. Life is sledding down the hill in the snow with your kids. Life is sitting around the table at night discussing every one's day. Life is reading our Bible together. Life is making our little circle and praying together. Life is trying to walk the kids through homework. Life is sitting there letting your kids read their 20 minutes a day to you. Life is scaring your spouse during a horror movie. Life is quiet dinners. Life is teaching your child to ride their bicycle without training wheels. Life is the mounds of laundry. Life is cooking dinner. Life is working to provide for your family. Life is making a difference in the lives of others. Life is teachers conferences. Life is dealing with loss. Life is being there for ones you love. Life is comforting those who need it. Life is spending every moment that you can enjoying the life you have.
Life is NOT your car, your house, your job, or defined by money, fortune, or fame. Life is NOT defined by your past, but determined by your present and future. Life is like a river, it doesn't stop it keeps flowing.
In an instant life as you know it can change. In the midst of the change we have to remember that Jesus wants to give us "life and life to the fullest". God doesn't always cause the changes in life. What He does do is promise us that He will work it out for us to have the fullest most complete life in Him. Through the changes in life we are learning to trust Him, love Him, and follow Him regardless of our past, present, or future circumstances.
I don't have life all figured out, nor have I claimed that I have all the answers. The thing I do know is this: God is teaching me His plan for my life, and this plan has to do with a much bigger picture than I can see. I have but one chance at this life. When life is over, it's over. I won't get another chance to play, because life is NOT a game.
Chris
No comments:
Post a Comment