You Cannot Die Unless You Are Born
You Can Only Live if Given Life
“Alive” Watercolor by Myra Alibrando
As an American citizen living in the Philippines, when I I visit the USA I enjoy the company of family. Typically, I go during a business enrollment season for many of my clients, who have also become friends. Everything seems too brief.
Why is There Never Enough Time?
There seems to be inadequate time to do all we want to do. If I pushed aside all the responsibilities, that I gladly fulfill, I would have much more time to indulge in so many wonderful people and pursuits.
After decades, I have developed more acquired tastes and become an expert in knowing more things I would enjoy. 100 years would not be enough time. I’m sure I would also enjoy learning many new things beyond my imagination today.
I have zero desire to abandon my duties and know the great value of a clear conscience. Self-indulgence becomes sickening. I tried that as a teen and it did not turn out well.
God designing limited time and resources forces us to only choose a few things on the menu of life. I obviously cannot consume the whole menu. It seems silly that this could bring me anxiety and I repeatedly apologize to God for it. :) It’s true.
Generosity Has Many Unexpected Benefits
Because of God’s grace in my life, I have learned to not only forgive others but also myself. God has taught me the power of repentance in my own life empowering the transformation of my values and behavior. It has been a wonder to witness first-hand.
Through the decades, even my desires have changed from self-destructive to genuinely respectable. It seems impossible to imagine, when my desires are fulfilled, it often helps others, pleases God and brings me happiness. My younger self would not have thought this possible.
Imagine if your own mind was transformed in the way described in Romans 12:2 so that your greatest passions and desires please God so much, that He would like to give you all of your desires?
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
I still cannot have the entire menu in one lifetime.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Cannot Remove the Limitations
The trip to the U.S. always ends. I wish I had more time to spend with my family and was able to visit a few more friends. I want to take my wife to see and do more but I also like to read the Word alone in a relaxed mode instead of having too many rushed mornings with a full schedule.
Life has deadlines, obligations, responsibilities, and a budget. I also greatly enjoy leisurely time with my music.
My “Complaint” Proves My Blessings
Isn’t this actually quite wonderful? God has reshaped me into a person with more desires to do good than humanly possible. My appetite has morphed to desiring good works. God likes my heart that way but of course, prefers me to not to be anxious about it. What I cannot do in my earthly lifetime is not as great a concern to Him as my heart, motives, behavior, and faith to grow.
Imagine craving so many good things, creative things, loving learning and serving and growing.
Like that saying goes: “We are too soon old and too late smart.”
It seems such a shame to die now that I have finally learned to abandon so many dumb ideas and misdirection from my culture. I have been finally becoming a God-loving person.
That’s the Whole Point, Choose Life
That’s the point, isn’t it? This world is a place of deciding. This world is not a final destination. Here we get samples of suffering but also the rewards God offers: love, growth, family, and friends. I have had pockets of peace that have become increasingly frequent.
To so many promises are added God’s ultimate promise that these wonderful things will be made more wonderful but without death, without disease, without poverty, without tears.
Healthy Appetite
Over decades, while I still disdain selfishness and deception when I see it, I have developed this appetite for the good things in life because I have already enjoyed so many of them on a small scale.
If I want more of this, God’s promise is to give it to those who overcome. Interesting call, to those who overcome temptations and their own crimes against self, others, and God Himself. He offers help.
And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. I Corinthians 10:13 b
Look at all the blessings we embrace that God has provided by giving us life to live on this earth He has made. Even in a dark world, the love we share shrouds us into a bubble of pleasure and peace which grows our appetite to live more like this.
“Indeed, just as people are destined to die once and after that to be judged . . .” Hebrews 9:27a
Rocks don’t ever suffer or die, but they can never have the uncountable experiences and opportunities we have.