Moments to Live

I've always been intrigued by the final words that people say before they die. I like to think it reveals what is the most central theme of their feelings - the deepest emotions and values. Perhaps. After reading a list of the last words of some people, I wonder if it also reveals how shallow people really are.

I've been thinking of dying recently. Not that I feel it is in my immediate future, but also I want to be honest and realize that it is not something that couldn't happen soon (my theory is that most people are surprised by their own deaths - we tend to think of ourselves as having more time than we really have!). Death is not something that I fear, but something I would like to avoid, and certainly delay as long as possible!

Here's where I am going with this: most people, when they know that they have only moments to live, don't spend that time thinking about new schemes to make money, or wishing that they could have just one more hour so they could clean the house. Most wish they could spend a few more minutes with friends and family, or clear up misunderstanding that might have caused a rift in a relationship. Most people want to make things right, with their fellow men and with God.

So what would happen to our personal worlds if we lived each day as if we only had moments to live? How would that affect our interactions with others? How would that impact our daily decisions? What would become the most important things to us if we knew we only had moments to live?

One of my new favorite texts comes from Romans, chapter 14 and verse 19. It says, "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify (or build up) another." (NKJV) What stands out to me is that we need to actively seek (pursue) those things that bring peace into our world (not a passive process - that means we are not seeking our own selfish desires, but laying aside our wants and even needs to bring peace to relationships). We also will look for ways to put others ahead of us and build them up, not tear them down as is the norm for the world today.

How would our lives be different if we lived as Paul suggests? Wouldn't you be honored to have your tombstone say, "He lived to bring peace and elevate the lives of his fellow man?"

If you only have moments to live, how will you spend these final days?

God bless you abundantly!