The ultimate gift that the Father has given us is a life to be lived.
Each human soul presents the opportunity for a brand new canvas, a brand new iteration of how love incarnate can exist and ultimately go back to the source from which it came, Love itself.
When I was younger and I heard of people encountering poverty or tragedy, I used to wonder, “Why God did you choose this life for me? Why was I chosen to be born into a family who could provide for me? Why was I chosen to be born in a country where I could succeed and thrive? Why was I so lucky to have educational opportunities, friendship opportunities, the joy of meeting my partner in life as a young person, given to me?”
After a decade of ruminating and observing, my current belief is that my blessings are rooted in their source, an Abundant giver. I also credit the prayers of my parents and ancestors, and all those Christians praying throughout time and throughout the world, as I may be the fruit of these laborers.
‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”
John 4: 37-38
I did not deserve or earn these blessings, but rather they were given freely. Those who are born and live in less ideal conditions are no less worthy of God’s love or opportunities to live their best life.
I no longer feel lucky because luck relies on some random chance and blessings are intentional and directed.
I recognize that each canvas of life is unique because ultimately each of us makes choices that will lead us to God (or not).
We are running the same race and the joys and pitfalls of this life will not change the reality that every one of us has the chance to seek the ultimate treasure — eternity with God. If anything, I believe some of the privileges I have can be a deterrent to the goal of the spiritual journey, offering distractions or false gods or alternative desires rather than encouraging the pursuit of the kingdom of God within me and around me.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12: 1-2
So my life is a gift and now I have a choice: will I offer it to God? If I do, will it be a pleasing offering to the Lord?
I have a choice to choose to have a relationship with my creator who seeks my love and desires to be in communion with me.
I have a choice to actively identify the pursuits and desires of the world within me and root them out so that I have room in my life to plant seeds that bear the fruit of holiness.
I have a choice to accept that life will be filled with ups and downs but that the greatest joy the greatest battle has already been fought and won. And I am invited to use that perspective in times of trial or times of complacency.
I have a choice to be satisfied, nay, elated, with each second, each greeting, each meal I eat, each smile I see, each hand I hold, each school drop off I complete, each face I encounter, because God decided that I could experience it, that my time on Earth was worth prolonging so that experience could happen.
Praise God, that His ultimate purpose for all of these accumulated seconds is to know Him and praise Him more. And that this choice to offer my life and my time and my heart back to Him is both my purpose and pleasing to Him!
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father help us to know that every moment of our existence is an intentional gift from you.
Mold our hearts to recognize and appreciate this gift, and to seek the joys from this realization over any joy that the world can provide.
Help us store this joy in a place where no tragedy, no comparison, no disappointment, can diminish its luster.