Happy New Year, everyone! Is it just me or was 2014 the fastest year yet? They say life is like a toilet paper roll. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. ~smile~ And it’s true!
When I was a kid, I could not wait for my birthday and Christmas. It took forever for them to finally come. Now my birthday almost catches me off guard. “Seriously, it’s that time again? I just got used to being this age!” Christmas shopping also does not have a definite start or end. “Did I not just finish Christmas shopping? We’re doing this again?”
When I was desperately awaiting my sixteenth birthday, my uncle told me not to rush it. He said that once your sixteenth birthday hits, every following year flies by – and he was not joking.
Life is Short
We say that life is short, but do we really believe it? In our younger years, the thought of living in a nursing home or sitting at home alone waiting for visitors seems inconceivable. Yet, if we were to ask a handful of elderly people what they were like in their 20s and 30s, they would probably say, “It seems like only yesterday…”
So, if life is so short, how should we approach it? With passion? With vigor? With proper priorities? How would we spend each day if we fully grasped the brevity of life?
We would still work; but, perhaps, with a different attitude? We would still encounter frustrations, but maybe we would seek out the silver lining in each situation? Most of us approach life as if it will never end. Would we live harder and with more intensity if it occurred to us to be thankful for each day?
Life on Earth is Short. Eternity is Forever.
The phrase “Life is Short” has always bothered me a bit because it only speaks about this life: the life we live on Earth. This life is short; however, eternity is just that – eternal. It is not short, in fact, it never ends. Knowing this life is temporary should further influence how we choose to live (Ephesians 5:16). If we would evaluate our activities based on whether or not they hold eternal significance, we may find ourselves wasting less time, accomplishing more, and investing more time in people and spiritual growth.
So many of the time-wasters we can’t seem to live without are easier to give up than we realize. ~smile~ I once lived in a dorm room for an entire week without a TV. (I know – wow!) My dormmate moved in a week later and brought a TV. It’s amazing, I know; but, I survived and I spent more time with the Lord that week! (Hmm…)
Do you worry that life will be boring if you spend tons of time reading the Bible, praying, and ministering to others? I assure you, you will never feel more alive than when your conscience is clear, your heart is filled with the joy of the Lord, and you are living the life He wants for you. Saying “Yes!” to what He has for you is the first step to truly living. The Christian life, lived as God intended, is anything but boring. ~smile~
Let’s Live This Year!
So, for 2015 on PreEngaged, Eric and I are going to focus this year on Experiences! Instead of sitting around waiting for life to happen, I want to step out and make life happen. I want to mark experiences off of my bucket list. (First, I need to make a bucket list. ~smile~)
Do you make life happen – or do you sit around and wait (as I have, all these years)? Are you tired of waiting? I am.
This year, I want to conquer some fears. I want to feel good in my own skin. I want to be bolder for Christ. I want to feel the wind in my face as I jump off a skyscraper (attached to a very strong cord, of course). So, the skyscraper excursion may not happen this year (though, who knows?!? ~smile~), but when I kiss 2015 goodbye, I hope I can look back on the year’s events and know that I did not take life for granted – that the year counted and meant something.
As much as I want a year of experiences for myself, I want all of you to have such a year as well. I’ve equated my introversion with being a homebody long enough, and talked myself out of trying new and uncomfortable activities. “Oh, that’s just not me. I like to stay home and watch movies.” I do enjoy staying home and watching movies, but that doesn’t mean I should shut the world out and never try anything new.
Are you willing to go on this journey with me? Are you ready to kick off the ordinary dust, step out in faith, and do something with your life? Are you ready to experience life outside of your comfort zone? Let’s do it. Let’s experience in 2015!!!
What awesome experiences do you want to have this year?