Life Is Transitory
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.” ~ Crowfoot
Yesterday we celebrated Respect Life Sunday and reminded ourselves that October is Respect Life Month. Our faith has a deep conviction that all life — from conception to natural death — is sacred and, therefore, needs to be nurtured, protected, and defended.
The Native Americans had a belief that life was sacred as well. They, like us, also realized that life, when compared with the Almighty, was nothing but a brief moment in time. It comes and goes quicker than we could ever imagine. Even for those of us who may life into the eighties, nineties, or hundreds, compared to God, who is infinite, we are but a wisp of wind.
All the more reason to make each day that we are given truly count. Since our lives on earth are so short, we need to do all that we can to prepare for the day when we step into the infinite. At the end of our lives here on earth, we will enter a new reality. We will no longer know disease or pain or death. We will live in the newness of life forever. That is, if we live properly and make the right choices.
God is going to give each of us a choice at the end of our days. “Do you want to live with me forever?” That will be the choice given to each and every one of us. It seems ludicrous to believe that some souls might not choose to live with God. However, if we have lived our lives apart from God while on the earth, why would we choose to live with God after our early death?
God gave us our lives and asked us to do the best we can with them. He desires us to return home at the end of our days. But, he leaves the decision up to us. He is not going to force us to accept Him.
If we want to live with God forever, we have to prepare for it by living as God’s people while here on earth. That means loving one another, cherishing the life He has given to us and defending that life for all others. That means being a people of mercy and forgiveness so that we will be able to ask for His mercy and forgiveness. That means being mini-versions of the people we will be one day in heaven.
Celebrate life, celebrate love, celebrate God this day.
FAITH ACTION: Do your best to bring love and cheer to someone today.