It's amazing how God can work events, conversations and experiences together to share His heart. Here's what He has been talking to me about this week..
It may sound a little morbid, but I enjoy reading online articles or journals written first hand by those who are terminally ill. Ok, that sounds extremely insensitive in words, I don't enjoy that they are sick or dying.. but there's something about their perspective that is so organic, so real. It wakes you up to reality. It's almost as if you are gaining parts to the "secret to life". I mean that's what we're all trying to accomplish, right? To be happy and live a fulfilling life on earth, to "get it right". Some of us are striving to be successful at work, or in school;or to make an impact in our community or giving your best to our family, it's different for everyone. We all want fulfillment in whatever way we feel we need it. But in the end, is the fulfillment you are striving for important?
The things I've observed by reading these journals, are that the writers all seem to want two of the same things: more time, and to be remembered. Sure they all have bucket lists, they have places they wish they could go and things to see. In comparison, when their individual stories are stripped down to the basics they all seem to really desire these two things and not yet have I found them to be about outward accomplishments. They do usually have to do with relationships. Relationships with friends and family. They wish they could do some things over, not for it to be different but to have taken the time to savor the memories. They long for assurance that nobody will ever forget them. That even when their friends are grown, that they'll be remembered.. that when their children are grown with children of their own, that they will share stories and keep their memory alive. How do we make memories? How do we make the best of our years? Relationship(s). By being part of something bigger than ourselves. By loving people regardless of their ethnicity, physical appearance, sex, ability, beliefs. Just love people, spend time with people. Time.Take time to play with your children, take time laughing with your spouse, spend time reminiscing with your parents and grandparents. Take time to reflect. Is it always easy? Nope. But relationships are clearly what matters "in the end", not just for yourself, but a gift for those who leave this earth before you to feel as if they'll be remembered; and a gift, an impact for those you leave behind.
Relationship. What does it mean to you? Time. What are you doing with it? Being remembered. What kind of imprint will you leave on this earth?
Philippians 2:4-6
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
It's through our earthly relationships, that we can encourage others to seek the most important relationship, the everlasting one. In the end it takes relationship to give life, and it's the only thing you can take with you.
