July 2, 2020 Choose Life - Father Michael's Words to Live By
Greetings! Father Michael here with today’s “Words to Live By.” I pray that you are doing well, staying safe and healthy. I also pray that God’s presence is real and dynamic in your life.
In the Old Testament, we read these words: “Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NRSV)
Recently, in a moment of quiet reflection – I recalled a memorial service I conducted in 2009 for a young Air Force sergeant who sadly – had committed suicide. Of course, his family, friends, and fellow Airmen were devastated, and heartbroken that this promising young military member chose death over life.
On our life’s journey, you and I are faced with daily challenges in which we must choose – make simple and critical choices in life. And as we consider these “choices” – the Lord continually inspires us to choose life. For in choosing life – we choose that which is eternally significant.
I’m sure that there have been many times when we have all experienced life that is wondrous, beautiful, and joyful; but there are also times when life has proved tough, chaotic, uncertain, and painful. Still, in these difficult moments – we are called to choose life.
WORDS TO LIVE BY:
“What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” ~ Oscar Wilde
“We are always getting ready to live but never living.” ~ Ralph W. Emerson
The words of Abraham Lincoln certainly ring true: “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your years.”
“Dost thou love life? Then waste not time; for time is the stuff that life is made of ...” ~ Benjamin Franklin
I pray that today’s “Words to live by” will serve to inspire us to always choose life and to treasure each day to the fullest.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: “O Lord, may you continue to inspire us to choose life ...give us strength for each new day and may your Spirit that abides in us – continue to enliven us each and every new day. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Michael+