What Are You Living For?
Our lives do not belong to us. Even those who do not believe in a life lived for Christ have to admit they have no control over the length of time they are given in this life. Which begs the question, what are you living for? How are you making your time here count?
We all live for something. Financial, academic, or career success; power; respect; a 2-story craftsman style bungalow with a white picket fence, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 2.5 children; ability to travel the world; independence; comfort. Our culture seriously idolizes the “ideal” lifestyle, which of course is determined entirely by the individual’s perception of the “ideal” because we are extremely wary of forcing anything on anyone. And our culture drives the message that we deserve the things we want in this life; self-entitlement and self-fulfillment are the prevailing attitudes.
At some point, we all realize that a life lived for “self” is unfulfilling. We then start searching outside of ourselves for fulfillment. Maybe we become involved in community action, take on a cause such as the environment or fighting genocide in Darfur. Maybe we use our families as a means for fulfillment, or our careers. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad to be involved in these areas, but eventually all of these will reach the same state of unfulfillment we had in our selfish pursuits. So again, what are you living for?
Yesterday a family friend was killed while out bike riding with his wife (she is in critical condition). The driver of the truck that struck them couldn’t see them because of the sun. It is a tragic accident that has affected many. And this morning I found myself contemplating how I am using the time I’ve been given in this life. There are no promises for an easy, comfortable life. There are no guarantees I will live to be 80 (or 94 like my amazing Grandmother!) So what am I living for today?
Phillipians 1:21-24 ~~ For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
As a Christian, my existence is for nothing less than glorifying God. Everyday. This is what I live for. This is why my life has meaning. So often I forget. So often I let my pursuit of “self” take over. I place other things, other people, at a higher importance than God. But God remains faithful, never failing in his relentless pursuit of my whole self.
What I deserve is death, the justified anger of a creator against his creation who continues to rebel against him. But in God’s unbelievably amazing love for me, he sent his son to live the life I can’t and suffer the punishment I deserved. As Tim Keller puts it, I am so lost and flawed, so sinful, that Jesus had to die for me, but I am also so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. So instead of death, I get eternal acceptance through the blood of Jesus as a child of God.
I know that when my earthly body dies, I win, because I’ll be with my creator and see my God in all his glory and finally get to worship him without the pull of my flesh and “self” exalting tendencies. But while I am here, while I get one more day to be in awe and wonder at the goodness of my Father in spite of my self, I live to glorify God, to share his goodness in my life. And when that time comes to an end, my prayer is that I’m not remembered for how successful I am, or how many degrees I have, or how much stuff I own, but only that I love God because he first loved me.
by Tara Madrigal