May 20 - One Year To Live

One Year To Live

“Make the most of every chance you get.” Ephesians 5:16a

Years ago, a 50 person survey was taken of 95-year-olds who were asked, “If you could live your life over, what would you differently.” Any guess what they said? There were three things that continued to come up in their responses. 

One, they would have “reflected” more. Too often, we get so busy that we don’t take time to smell the roses and enjoy the moment. Two, they said they would do more that would live on after they were dead.  Are you prone to do more for the “here and now” than the “there and then?” This might be called the “reality” of life. God wants us to keep an eye on eternity. And three, they would have “risked” more. Our DNA is frequently about playing it close to the vest and staying in the comfort zone rather than taking more chances.  I wished I had risked more and not played everything so safe.”

While many of us may never be surveyed in this poll, it’s worth pondering how we might use our time a little more effectively.  In fact, I’m thinking about getting a petition that requires every person to set aside one day a year where we acknowledge the next 365 days as a gift from God.  While birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays abound, we need an “Opportunity Day” to see it as God’s blessing, removing a sense of entitlement or rights that we feel.  I think you should consider such an idea so that the years don’t pass without “reflecting, reality living, and risking” a little more often.

The Baltimore Sun conducted a contest and the following poem received a prize for the best answer to the question, “What would you do if you had one more year to live?” Mary Davis Reed wrote the following:

If I had but one year to live.

One year to help; one year to give

One year to love; one year to bless

One year of better things to stress.

One year to sing; one year to smile

To brighten earth a little while;

One year to sing my Maker’s praise:

One year to fill with work my days:

One year to strive for a reward

When I should stand before my Lord

I think that I would spend each day,

In just the very self-same way.

That I do now, for from afar

The call may come across the bar

At any time, and I must be

Prepared to meet eternity.

So if I have a year to live.

Or just one day in which to give;

A pleasant smile, a helping hand,

A mind that tries to understand.

A fellow-creature when in need;

‘Tis one with me-I take no heed.

But try to live each day He sends,

To serve my gracious Master’s ends.

Paul challenged the church at Ephesus to “Make the most of every chance you get.” (Ephesians 5:16a)  Those  were great words for them, and for us now.  Some said, “Are you making a living or are you making a life?”  While some live to the ripe old age of ninety-five, most will not.  But that isn’t the most important thing.  We can certainly take their advice.  Reflect today, Live in the reality of today.  Risk today.  Beginning last year, God gave you another 365 days to do it.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)  Do you tend to live with gratitude or entitlement?

2)  What risk can you take in a relationship, friendship, or extension to express today as a gift from God?

Consider reading the Word today:

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser