A Reason To Live
It is easier to die for someone than to live for them. Does that ring true to you?
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain, wrote Paul. Was he essential saying the same thing.
Wanting to live out of this world and to move onward to eternal life when you know heaven is your reality changes how you look at death, and in turn life.
The place between the beginning and the here after that you seemingly endlessly must exist to become more than who you presently are. And while you do have a choice, if you believe in the sovereignty of God, you give that choice up to Him. He numbers your days for "some purpose". And it is here that you must find your “reason to live”!
To live for self is a weak appeal, at least to me. And of course, no one wants to be around someone so morbid AKA depressed. People are looking to be motivated, lifted up, and to enjoy life. No one wants to be or to be around a ‘debbie downer’ -- not even me.
However, don’t we often look to what we don’t have instead of what we do.
And is this not why gratitude is so appealing, just as genuine joy, loving others and having the capacity within to give life, instead of being the drag that dispel others dreams.
People get angry about what they don’t have and resent others for not valuing the fact that they have what they have always lacked.
One mourns after never having a parent who disciplines them; the other mourns from having one who disciplined in severe abuse. And no parent in-between is perfect. Any parent knows this to be true within their own heart. It is only the parent in denial that will pretend all is effortlessly great.
Beauty abounds in the simple in life: a cup of coffee, a conversation with a friend, and a still moment to hear your own thoughts. Why is enjoying simple beauty never enough?
Is it because we created to become more?
For me, this is a cyclical movement to becoming more like Christ, while always knowing I will be less than He is -- less than God is -- and thereby always needing improvement is draining.
Yet, I keep looking to the hope of landing upon “a reason to live” with zest. Not a mere existence but knowing my day brings with it purpose for living and positively impacts others to seek, see and know Him.
However, I question if I am being grandiose, imagining if I am somehow more important than the average Jane. Do we all have a special place and purpose-- specific reason to live or will many options fulfill the soul? I do not know!
I have a reason to die, but I am 53 and still don’t think I have discovered my place in life - my specific reason to live. I am relational but I repel people. Forever, knowing that I am part of a paradox of what should have been or could have been but was never to be.
I watch people half my age making life decisions that I wish I would have done or could have done, and for the first time I feel my age. Maybe this is because I finally belong to a community of people--a church--that is younger than me. I am considered old. While teaching in schools, so many teachers are younger. Again I am consider old among my peers. And my body is not always keeping up with my desire to be active as my brain still thinks I am. Of course, that is my own fault for not realizing I am not fit as I should be. Others saw it, pointed it out and I deeply resented their comments expressed as concern that I took as attacks.
Some live for their children, others for their spouse, and I guess Christians should live for God -- but how-- is the question that remains in my soul.
God, how do I practically find my reason to live daily?
It may always be my life question. Have you learned to be content? Are you fulfilled daily?
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain, wrote Paul. Was he essential saying the same thing.
Wanting to live out of this world and to move onward to eternal life when you know heaven is your reality changes how you look at death, and in turn life.
Life on earth is purgatory.
The place between the beginning and the here after that you seemingly endlessly must exist to become more than who you presently are. And while you do have a choice, if you believe in the sovereignty of God, you give that choice up to Him. He numbers your days for "some purpose". And it is here that you must find your “reason to live”!
To live for self is a weak appeal, at least to me. And of course, no one wants to be around someone so morbid AKA depressed. People are looking to be motivated, lifted up, and to enjoy life. No one wants to be or to be around a ‘debbie downer’ -- not even me.
However, don’t we often look to what we don’t have instead of what we do.
And is this not why gratitude is so appealing, just as genuine joy, loving others and having the capacity within to give life, instead of being the drag that dispel others dreams.
People get angry about what they don’t have and resent others for not valuing the fact that they have what they have always lacked.
One mourns after never having a parent who disciplines them; the other mourns from having one who disciplined in severe abuse. And no parent in-between is perfect. Any parent knows this to be true within their own heart. It is only the parent in denial that will pretend all is effortlessly great.
Yet, is it just me, or do we as humans long to always want more?
Beauty abounds in the simple in life: a cup of coffee, a conversation with a friend, and a still moment to hear your own thoughts. Why is enjoying simple beauty never enough?
Is it because we created to become more?
For me, this is a cyclical movement to becoming more like Christ, while always knowing I will be less than He is -- less than God is -- and thereby always needing improvement is draining.
Yet, I keep looking to the hope of landing upon “a reason to live” with zest. Not a mere existence but knowing my day brings with it purpose for living and positively impacts others to seek, see and know Him.
However, I question if I am being grandiose, imagining if I am somehow more important than the average Jane. Do we all have a special place and purpose-- specific reason to live or will many options fulfill the soul? I do not know!
I have a reason to die, but I am 53 and still don’t think I have discovered my place in life - my specific reason to live. I am relational but I repel people. Forever, knowing that I am part of a paradox of what should have been or could have been but was never to be.
I watch people half my age making life decisions that I wish I would have done or could have done, and for the first time I feel my age. Maybe this is because I finally belong to a community of people--a church--that is younger than me. I am considered old. While teaching in schools, so many teachers are younger. Again I am consider old among my peers. And my body is not always keeping up with my desire to be active as my brain still thinks I am. Of course, that is my own fault for not realizing I am not fit as I should be. Others saw it, pointed it out and I deeply resented their comments expressed as concern that I took as attacks.
Do you have a reason to live?
That is not rhetorical question.Some live for their children, others for their spouse, and I guess Christians should live for God -- but how-- is the question that remains in my soul.
God, how do I practically find my reason to live daily?
It may always be my life question. Have you learned to be content? Are you fulfilled daily?
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