What It Means to Live

What does it mean to live? 

As believers in Christ, we live with a hope that eternity with him in Heaven is coming.  Not thinking of death in a weird or bizarre way, but living with the knowledge and faith that this life is not all there is.  That there is life after death. 

Philippians 1:21 is one of my favorite verses and it reads - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (NIV). 

There is a reason to live.  There is a reason to love.  There is a reason to keep on keeping on.

I couldn't help but think about that verse as I watched two lifeguards help my Dad down onto the beach a few weeks ago.  We had planned a trip with my grandparents to Tampa/Clearwater Beach, FL.  Their act of kindness was a gift from God and definitely a miracle for me.  After just having surgery and dealing with some post-operative complications, I didn't think I would be able to make my Dad's dream of being back in the Gulf of Mexico possible.  But this is why I believe.  Because God already had it covered.  God provided my Dad and myself and our cousin Susan, with such an amazing opportunity.  They picked Dad up curbside (and if you've been down on the strip at Clearwater Beach Pier you know it's ALWAYS busy), and took us in an ATV down to the water.  The police even stopped traffic for Susan to make an illegal u-turn.  They then helped him walk out to the water.  I was so amazed at their generosity and as I was telling Ben, it was like everything was silenced around me.  You beach fans know that the beach is normally loud from the breeze, the water crashing around you, and the people.  Not at that moment though.  It was perfect.  Truly one of the most special moments for us.  It was one of those moments for me, in which I was reminded that I am not alone.  A reason to live.  A reason to love.  To be the hands and feet of Christ without thinking twice.

Clearwater Beach, FL - 6/22/2018

Life gets crazy.  Lets be honest, life gets hard.  My Dad displayed an incredible amount of courage that day at the beach.  Trusting those lifeguards not to let him fall.  Trusting Susan and myself that he would get out on the beach.  Courage that will continue to help him propel through this fight against ALS.  I've been reminded through my Dad's journey to not lose hope.  To not lose joy.  I was reminded just today as Ben and I celebrated the life of a friend, that true joy is one of life's greatest gifts and will be passed down to impact so many people, without you even realizing it's happening.  True joy doesn't mean you're happy all the time or never have a bad day, it means you have hope.  You believe in something bigger than you and inside you have the feeling that no matter what happens in life, there is a reason to live and you are loved.

I know so many folks right now who are hurting and dealing with illness, grief, and hardships of some kind.  Friends - don't lose hope.  You are loved.  This earthly life is not all there is.  Don't waste your precious time here worrying about tomorrow.  Do you have a reason to live?

"If we look to God from our problems, we'd be able to look back at our problems and see something different." - Levi Lusko

Romans 15:13 -- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (NIV)

Finding joy in the journey. <3