Feb. 17, 2020 Choose Life - Father Michael's Words to Live By

“Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20loving 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 

Dear Christ Church,

This past Sunday, I preached the message entitled: “The Price of Spiritual Reality.”  The sermon was from Moses’ words recorded in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 in which the leader of the Israelites challenged the children of Israel to “choose life.”

There’s no doubt that we all encounter daily opportunities in which we must “choose”, make simple and critical choices in life.  And as we contemplate how we make these daily choices; may the Lord continually remind us to always “choose life.”  In choosing life, we choose that which is eternally significant. 

This past week, I have had the opportunity to quietly recall a memorial service I conducted in 2010 for one young Air Force member who committed suicide.  His family, friends, and colleagues were devastated that this promising young man chose death over life. 

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.

FAMOUS WORDS:

“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

SHOWING UP FOR LIFE:  [by Nipun Mehta]

The way we walk into a room says a lot about the way we choose to live our lives. When we walk into a room curious about what's happening, willing to engage, and perceiving ourselves as an active participant with something to offer, then we have really shown up to the party. When we walk into a room with our eyes down, or nervously smiling, we are holding ourselves back for one reason or another. We may be hurting inside and in need of healing, or we may lack the confidence required to really be present in the room. Still, just noticing that we're not really showing up, and having a vision of what it will look and feel like when we do, can give us the inspiration we need to recover ourselves.

Even if we are suffering, we can show up to that experience ready to fully engage in it and learn what it has to offer. When we show up for our life, we are actively participating in being a happy person, achieving our goals, and generally living the life God created our soul to crave. If we need healing, we begin the process of seeking out those who can help us heal. If we need experience, we find the places and opportunities that can give us the experience we need in order to do the work we want to do in the world. Whatever we need, we look for it, and when we find it, we engage in the process. When we do this kind of work, we become lively, confident, passionate and compassionate individuals.

There is almost nothing better in the world than the feeling of showing up for our own lives. When we can do this, we become people that are more alive and who have the ability to make a difference – not only in our lives but also in the lives of others. We walk through the world with the knowledge that we have a lot to offer and the desire to share it.

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+