I mentioned a couple of days ago that a buddy and former basketball teammate of mine died of a massive heart attack. He was 59 and leaves behind a beautiful wife, three children and two grandchildren.
59 is young.
Death makes me reflective, contemplative and a little bit blue.
In order to prevent myself from going from blue to depressed, I’ve upped my workout routine. In fact, a couple of days ago I forced myself to jump in our pond and swim a mile in hopes that my focus on not swallowing the not-so-clean pond water would take my focus off the death of my friend and his family.
During the swim I noticed some leaves had fallen off of trees and into our pond. A reminder that fall is almost here. I thought about those leaves and how their fall and subsequent death serve as a fertilizer of sorts for the renewing of our pond.
I can’t say I’m going anywhere with this thought other than the fact that life is seasonal.
We are born, we live, we die.
What we do with our “live” season is where it’s at.
The opening quote reminded me of the fact that we must live in anticipation of gaining and not losing. I’m not talking about gaining “things” but I am talking about gaining in our growth as human beings.
For me, the biggest gain while living, is being born again through a belief, trust and relationship with Jesus Christ. The closer I grow to Jesus the more I realize the infinite gains He provides.
It is through my relationship with Jesus where death becomes gain.
It is through my relationship with Jesus where I realize what things in life are worth gaining and losing.
My buddy was a pretty strong Catholic.
When he died he didn’t lose his life…he gained eternal life.
Do you live in anticipation of what you could lose or do you live in anticipation of what you have to gain?
At the age of 58 I find myself focused on my spiritual gain more than anything else. As my Spirit grows so grow my fruits of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
It really comes down to who and what you are in relationship with. The world or God?
The type of fruits you throw off on a daily basis will tell you where your relationship(s) is/are.
I still have some work to get done before my leaf falls.
How about you?
Matthew 16:25-26, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses is life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
