At the church I go to, Trinity Baptist, just finished a series called One Month To Live, based off a book by the same name. The book is written by a couple of pastors in Houston Texas, Chris and Kerry Shook. The idea is that when you find out you only have on month live, then you tend to change how you live. You make amends, patch up broken relationships, and go on those holidays you planned but never went on, and do things that you didn't do when you were waiting for life to happen to you.
So if you had one month to live what would you do?
I've spent the last 30 days with this question being the highlight of my life. Every night there was a chapter to read, questions to answer, and things to think about. Ways to change your life. From living your dreams, to spending time with those that you love. They talked about forgiving wrongs against you, asking for forgiveness for things you've done, and doing things that you love.
Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly, and Leave Boldly.
Those were the four principles that we were to consider. And a lot changed.
I sent a facebook message after only proof reading it once. That's actually kind of a big deal for me. I never send a message without reading it until I'm pretty sure that I just shouldn't send it. If I do send it's because I really need an answer. But I had a thought, and even though it was random and not as articulate as it could have been, I sent it.
I started my application for an internship in Washington DC, to work with the International Justice Mission. It's something that seems a little unattainable, but I truly want to do this, and so I'm throwing myself into it to try and make it come true.
And today was the biggest thing. I volunteered at the Esther House in Kelowna. It wasn't a big deal, but it's one of the first times I've gone and volunteered almost by myself. It was just me and another lady, and we went down and baked cookies with these ladies, giving them some Christmas cheer, and sharing the love. It was an amazing night, and I watched several women be moved to tears when we gave them gifts from the SheLife women. The gifts were small, but useful things like mittens, toiletries and chocolates. What really moved them seemed to be the cards, written by the women at Trinity and filled with kind words, love and prayers.
So I've learned in the last month to give second chances where I usually wouldn't, reaching out when I usually couldn't, and enjoying life to a fullness I didn't know existed. I've learned to live my one life, even though it will take a lot to keep living the way I want, and it's amazing.
But the thing I learned the most was not to live for myself, or the things I can accumulate. It's not about the temporary things.
If I had a month to live, would I stay in school or would I drop out because it doesn't matter? I would, because I want to. I want to learn and fill my life with knowledge. But my learning would not be hindered by a fear of failure, or the stress of homework. I would be doing this for the love of learning.
If I had a month to live would I keep working? Of course. Even though this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life, it's a job where I can be a smiling face in someone's day. I can be the cashier that isn't hating life and customers.
If I had a month to live, I would want to give that month to others. I would want to share my joy, pour out my love, and live in such a way that I made an impact in the world.
If you had a month to live, what would you do?
You have one life to live. You have one life to give. So what's stopping you from living everyday as if it is your last, or one of the last? If you can't think of today as your last day to live, think of it as the first of your last month. What do you want to say? What do you want to do? What don't you want to take to the grave? And what don't you want to regret?
What do you want your legacy to be?
Most importantly, what's stopping you?
No comments:
Post a Comment