Life is a strange precarious thing. We have been made aware of that over the last two years and were reminded in tragic circumstances two days before Christmas. All the plans and hopes we have can disappear in a moment and yet still we invest so much store in them. And so we should, for to look to the future is to assume life is worth living, and it is.
As I look out my window this morning, I can’t see much further than the houses beyond the back garden. The overnight frost is hanging on even though it is midday and I’m beginning to look forward to some dinner. I love days like today. The harsh frost; the crunch beneath my feet on this mornings walk across the fields; the sharp contrast of the trees against the white background. It is still and beautiful and to be enjoyed. At the same time I’m eager to go over to our house in Burbage and see how the builders have progressed this week. They have been building the outside walls of our new extension and stripping out the existing kitchen and bathroom. We are planning for the future and enjoying this moment, for life is worth living and each moment has to be enjoyed, for we can not guarantee what the future holds.
The lectionary passages that we will generally follow over the next few months will follow Jesus as he begins his ministry, but always the cross is coming closer. There is a recurring theme as we follow these passages through, “Do not be afraid!.” One day, as I was looking at these passages and trying to do some forward planning, a song came on the radio that seemed so apt I jotted it into my notes. The words that caught my attention were:-
I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity
To think about
What you’d do with it
What could you do with it
What did I do with it?
Tim McGraw, “Live like You Were Dying”
written by Tim Nicholls and Craig Wiseman
I then turn to the Psalms and read,
I am surrounded by trouble,
but you protect me …
With your own powerful arm
you keep me safe.
You, Lord, will always
treat me with kindness.
Your love never fails.
You have made us what we are.
Don’t give up on us now!
Psalm 138:7-8
Amen, be blessed, Craig