A Legacy Trail of Nothing But Love

What if we woke up one day and as we looked in the mirror to wash the sleep from our eyes we seen on our foreheads a digital counter keeping time just like the clock ticking away on the wall? But this one isn't moving forward. It's going backward and it almost seems as if it's moving at warp speed. We would probably think we were in the middle of a futuristic dream. These aren't just digital numbers. It's a date. A date we see into the future, 

What could it mean? As we ready and leave the house for work, hoping no one else can see the digits on our forehead, we notice that everyone in passing also has a date. This date is the day and time we will say goodbye on this earth. 

I know, that's a quite a bit to ponder. But let's just imagine it's so. Some may have a date forty years from today, while others is only a few hours away. Would it change us? Would it change how we treat others? Would we engage in life in a different way, maybe a new respect for people, for time. 

Instead of chewing someone's head off for cutting in front of us, would we realize that it really didn't matter much in the broad scheme of things? Instead of putting dates off, would we now be more persistent in seeing those we love? Might we be more eager to spend time, to forgive, and give second chances? 

Maybe we would kiss our husband more, and hug our children a little tighter. Just maybe we would allow people to step in front of us at the check out counter. I think everything would change for us. We would be more compassionate knowing that our neighbor only had a year left. 

Ah, is this why God didn't give us this information? It would kind of be a cheat sheet, wouldn't it? Even the angels don't know when we shall leave this planet. Just maybe God kept this information to Himself so we could figure it out and learn that life isn't to be taken for granted. It's to be respected and honored. I think we would love more, give more, and change our entire outlook on life. 

Maybe it's just me, but I've been pondering how we treat people. We aren't always very nice, are we? Just maybe we would be more understanding. We would take more time to get to know people, their life, their dreams, and just maybe we would come together to make them happen. 

I don't know. Maybe if we knew how much time we had we would make more of an effort to live life to the fullest. We wouldn't wait, wouldn't put off the things we would love to do one day. Just maybe we would embrace who we are and accept others in love. 

Just maybe we wouldn't live life in such fear, but be excited for each and every day, embracing what comes with a hope and joy that we can partake in and share with others. Most of all, don't you think we would share Jesus with others more easily? 

I'd like to think we wouldn't anger so easily. That we would let things go that really didn't matter, but be aware of the things that did and make a difference by stepping up and being the person that gets involved. You know, a person who truly cares about others. I think we would be more bold and help others in whatever circumstance that touched their lives. Don't you? Isn't this the life we should be living? 

Just think of how things could be. No more pity parties. No more complaining. I think even if are digital date ended before others we would want to make a difference in the lives of those around us. A legacy trail of nothing but love. 

It takes courage to live a life well-lived. It isn't just a life of comfort and ease. It's stepping out of our comfort zone. It's being ready and willing. It's looking into the eyes of others and taking time to get to know those around us. I think we wouldn't waste so much time. We would think before we speak, and ponder our actions before we step. 

Isn't this how the Apostles lived? Isn't this how Jesus lived? The Disciples lived a life knowing their time here wasn't forever and in the mean time they were going to make the most of every single moment. They were intent on living today, right now. They weren't about waiting until tomorrow. 

No, they didn't walk past people as if they didn't even exist. They didn't push their way around and belittle others. They simply lived a life of pure love. This is the kind of life I want to live. The life I dream of living. How about you? 

None of us know the date we will leave this world, but we can begin living a new kind of life right now. One that's filled with goodness, kindness, gentleness, and compassion. We can live in such a way that we make a difference, leaving behind a footprint that points to a Savior who has given us a heavenly inheritance.

See, it isn't the date we were born or the date that we leave this world behind that matters. What's most important is what we do with the time in between. 

"Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on the love-the perfect bond of unity. and let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:12-17