A new year in a short life

Happy New Year! It’s 2010!

Raindrops are slipping down the windows, our neighborhood (and my husband) are still sleeping, and I am sipping a cup of Wal-Mart cappuccino. The first morning of the new year has been peaceful so far. Next year at this time, Lord willing, I’ll have an 11-month-old. I doubt he’ll allow us the luxury of sleeping in and typing blog posts first thing in the morning.

I always enjoy the fresh start of the new year. It seems like a gift, like 2010 was wrapped up in pretty paper tied with a Tiffany’s-blue bow. That can be deceptive, though. Really, I am only given today. I was reminded again of the brevity of life through an article posted on the True Woman blog the other day.

It is easy to become so focused on day-to-day activities that we begin to live as though we’re earth-bound rather than temporary residents…

Once I leave this earthly realm, I’ll no longer have opportunity to accomplish what can only be done here. Only here will I be able to share the gospel with lost souls. Only on this side of eternity will I worship God while in the midst of battle. This life is my only opportunity to win victories over my flesh. Only in this fallen world can I prove that His value is of greater worth to me than my sin. When challenged to deny self in the face of temptation, only here will I have opportunity to please my heavenly Father with steadfast endurance. Here only do I fight spiritual battles with the hope of one day hearing His “well done!” as I enter heaven.Once I leave this realm, I will no longer have the opportunity to store up heavenly treasure.

I want to live the rest of my life with no regrets, with no wasted moments, living intentionally in a way that purposefully glorifies Him and redeems the time He has allotted for me.

Earlier this year, a wife and mother named Rachel Barkey was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and a video of a talk she gave just a few months before her death was posted all over the Christian blogosphere. I’d read quite a few of Rachel’s blog entries, but hadn’t seen the video until a few days ago, when I watched the first part. It was a sobering and encouraging reminder of how short life is. Watch here.

Meditating on this can help me keep my eyes focused on what is truly important – Christ. Entertainment, frustrations, fatigue, and popularity suddenly all pale in comparison to what really matters. It’s so easy to forget, but Lord, help me remember.