Last week as I was running on the treadmill at the gym, a local news alert came on reporting there had been a fatal car crash. I don’t know what kind of reaction this causes in others…but for me, it always makes me sorta cringe. As soon as I heard that 4 adults had been evicted from the car and were dead-on-arrival, I said a littleBIG prayer, “God, please do something now.” The reporter went on to say that 5 children were being life-flighted to Dell Children’s Hospital. My ears perked up because I knew my ER physician hubby was working that particular day.
It was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Most of us go to work and push paper or teach children or build something or dig for oil. I don’t know. There are a lot of different career choices nowadays. But my husband happens to be in the line of work that gets downright real some days. The kinda days you come face-to-face with your Maker.
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14
And although most of us never face routine encounters with death, I think it still serves us well as a reminder.
Death is a reality.
I think the Holy Spirit has been nudging me. Recently, I have been noticing how many little things I take for granted. Simple, everyday things…like running water and flushing toilets. I have been convicted how readily I jump to whining and complaining when things are not “just so.”
in perfect order
just like i like it
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing;” Philippians 2:14
I feel the Holy Spirit pointing out my downcast, complaining attitude when I don’t feel 100%. When I don’t get my way. When my kids don’t listen to me. When my fast food isn’t fast. When the driver ahead of me is an idiot. Oh Lord, forgive me please.
Do these little, petty things really matter?
I met this little boy in Neply, Haiti a few weeks ago and was captivated by his creativity in reinventing a toy. He has nothing. Not really. At least not in comparison to most of us in America. But despite that, he taught me something. A toy can be fun without a remote and working wheels. It’s just a matter of adjusting your focus. Joy doesn’t come from what you have. Joy comes from proper perspective.
Death is a blessing in disguise
Death awakens us from our slumber and serves as a reminder that our time is short. There is much work to do. It is a time to refocus on what is truly important. In light of all of eternity, our life is but a vapor. So let’s quit wasting our time. Let’s stop complaining when little things go wrong. Let’s live intentionally. Let’s redeem the time.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time.” Ephesians 5:15-16a
How are you redeeming the time?