Life is short! This is one of the most profound realities we need to face in our momentary stay in this world. Whether we believe it or not; accept or deny it; face or ignore it; still experiences and history say that life in this side of eternity is indeed temporary. Have you ever tried to look closely on the life span of those who died in the cemetery? Are they all the same? Do you wonder why? Do you sometimes worry why life is like this? Isn’t it rather good if life has its definite expiration date? Let’s say after 100 or 120 years then it will be over. How we wish it is just as simple as that; but it’s not.
That’s why many of us are worrying whether or not we are going to have a longer life here on earth. With all the health risks; problems of various diseases (bird flu, swine flu, probably a crocodile’s or monkey’s flu?); threats of rampant criminality, poverty, calamities, etc. people often worry whether life on earth will extend a little longer than expected or not. We have in our days a lot of technological advancements and health-related discoveries (natural & synthetic) that help promote the possibility of a longer life. People nowadays are more aware of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle by having proper diet, exercise, enough rest and adequate food supplement intake that assures them of longevity. Nevertheless, despite all of these, many are still worried of not living long enough.
Why worry? Be happy every single day! Have you greeted someone a “Happy birth-year?” or is it a “Happy birth-day?” The Bible says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”. Let’s learn to enjoy every single day that the Lord is giving us. Let’s enjoy life to the fullest every day! Because it’s not how long we live that matters in the end but how well did we make the most of our every day life.
By the way, how do we define “long” life? Is it in the number of days or years a man lived? Or is it in the fulfillment of the person having realized the real meaning of why he lives in the first place? Long life without a purpose is not satisfying. Regardless of the number of years, what matters the most is the meaning of the life that we are living. The main reason why many are not happy is because many are living their lives without a purpose; no direction, no reason, no meaning. They are not truly living, they’re just existing. I challenge you my friend, if you don’t know yet the real purpose why you are here, discover it from the Bible – the manual of living given to us by the One who created us. It’s just like a manual of a certain appliance or gadget that we purchased.
Another scripture says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” Psalm 90:12. God wants us to live one day at a time. He also wants us to live daily in accordance to His will. If we will do these I believe we will live a happy life every single day and will not have to worry if we will live long enough.
The true essence of living is not in the number of years a man may live, but in the quality of life lived on a daily basis. Many days are wasted by people who allowed things in the past to hold them that they cannot enjoy the present. There are also those who cannot enjoy the present because their minds are preoccupied with the things of the future. They worry a lot about the unknown coming days! I love what the wise master said in the movie Kung Fu Panda, “Yesterday is history, the future is a mystery, today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” Indeed every day is a gift from God. Either He will give you 43,800 days or 120 years-long or less, just make a choice to live one day at a time and make the most of your day by living for His glory. Refrain from wasting even a single day or moment in worrying.
Will you live long enough? Worry not. It’s up to Him who created us. Learn to live one day at a time and enjoy each day.