Living Our Beautiful, Fragile Lives
October 11, 2020
Ted walked into the house looking rather tired. It had been another long day at work. He kissed Anne, his wife, and headed for the overstuffed brown leather chair that was reserved for him and him alone. As he sank into it, he asked Anne if she could bring him a glass of water. Anne poured him a glass and returned to the living room but Ted was gone. An autopsy would later show an undetected heart condition.
Like Anne, this year has reminded us of the fragility of human life. One moment we have it and the next we don’t. It is an unpleasant thought, one we’d rather bury some place and forget about until reality drops it at our doorstep and we find ourselves compelled to ask some of life’s big questions.
What is most valuable in this life? How should we spend our lives? To what should we be committed?
For Christians, the answers should be the same as Christ’s: loving God, serving people and finishing the work God has given us. Those are the priorities. That God-centered and eternity-minded living is powered by Love—God’s love at work in and through us—and expressed through investing in people, helping the poor, encouraging the weak, protecting the vulnerable, practicing everyday kindness, and so on. It is also shown in our dedication to and diligence in the work God has given each of us, be it raising children, running a company, writing, teaching or being someone’s assistant.
By realigning our priorities and choosing love over selfishness, we find the path to fulfilment and purpose. God’s love gives substance to our existence and by living his way we can make our beautiful, fragile lives count.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13.