Author, Wife, Busy Mom, A Woman after God's Heart.

Tag: livinginobediencetoGod

The Mortality of a Birthday

I recently celebrated a birthday. Yay! Happy birthday to me! It wasn’t one of those BIG numbers either, but it was still a number. When I was younger I looked at people my age as old. And, to some extent, I’m what society would consider “middle-aged”. Psychology Today even defines midlife as “the central period of a person’s life from approximately age 40 to age 65.” Now, I don’t feel I need to tell you how old I am, so don’t go thinking I’m going to spill that information. Plus, I’ve heard asking a woman her age is not polite.

At any rate, I do have to admit that as I get older, the thought of dying and death seems more of a reality than when I was twenty years old. Some people don’t live to see forty and others pass away before getting a chance to retire at sixty-five, or even later these days. It may sound morbid, but I can’t help realizing my mortality. I won’t live forever and frankly, I don’t want to.

We also have heard the phrase, “Time doesn’t stop for no one”. It doesn’t and that’s a fact. However, life will stop for each one of us at some point. We’re like a Timex watch that ticks until the battery dies. We have a battery of life in our bodies. When it’s our specific time to go, that’s when we go. Our lives are truly in God’s hands.

All in all, I’m grateful and blessed to be alive at my age. I’m learning not to take for granted my health, my mind, my muscles, my brain, and my heart. Our body is an important temple. And speaking of temples…

In 1 Corinthians 6:19 of the Bible, the Apostle Paul tells us… Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”

So, what does “… we are not of our own mean?” Well, according to Genesis 1:27, we are made in the likeness of God, which therefore suggests we come from God. It’s true. Here’s the scripture verse: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:16, it tells us this, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Does God’s Spirit dwell in you?

I’ve been pondering many questions lately: Have I lived purposefully? Is there more to accomplish on earth? Have I been taking care of my temple the right way? Are there more stories for me to write, or am I done? How will I live the remaining years of my life? Or better yet, how will I live my life in the next two weeks? I could go on and on.

I know what you’re thinking, all these questions on mortality from celebrating a birthday? Come on, forget about it. Live your life. Do what pleases you. Yes, yes, I’ve heard all those remarks. The truth is, I don’t want to leave anything unfinished while living because there is so much work to do and that’s doing the work God calls me to do. What that looks like is none of your concern because you should have your own calling.

Have you thought about your mortality lately? Maybe you should because time stops for no one.

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy!

 

Counting the Cost – Independence Day!

Have you ever heard the phrase, “What’s it going to cost me?” Usually, it’s associated with something like a big repair on a car. A car that may not be worth sinking another $1,000. In another case, it could be paying more for VIP seats at a concert or sports game. In these scenarios and others alike, you need to count the cost of what’s it going to take to have it, lose it, or sacrifice it.

I found this reading the other day in Luke 14:25-33. This example reflects upon someone building a tower and whether they have enough money and workers to finish the job. Well, I don’t think any of us are going to be building a tower anytime soon, but maybe this will help. When planning an international trip, doesn’t one research and figure out the cost of airfare, the hotel, the tours, food, etc., before actually booking that particular vacation? I sure hope so or else they’re in for a surprise.

The same principle could apply here. What is the cost of being in a certain circle of friends? Joining a team? Political party? Well, we know where the last one takes us. DIVIDED. Some people go with the flow and others live by a rigid schedule. Neither is correct as we know, “everything in moderation and not in extreme”. Here’s a good one. How about following Jesus? What is that cost? A preacher once said that following Jesus will not only cost you something; it will cost you everything! Your family, friends, maybe your job, and of course, your life, if it ever came to that. You can see in the last verse, verse 33, what Jesus says… “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Hmmm… ponder on that for a moment.

In another example of “Counting the Cost”, I found this scripture.

Reading through 2 Samuel 24, we see King David sin against God by taking a census of the people. He didn’t pray about it before but rather took it upon himself to go against God and follow his thoughts. We see that God’s anger is aroused against Israel and allows a plague to consume the people and 70,000 people perish. It was a judgment against David. In his remorse for forgiveness, he wishes to build an altar to sacrifice and offer burnt offerings to the Lord. He is given it freely by a man named, Araunah, but the King refuses and says he will not accept it freely, but rather buy it for a price because his disobedience to God had cost him the lives of the people of Israel and Judah. It is also why he didn’t want to have something that would cost him nothing.

Are we willing to live a life boldly for Jesus? Are we willing to stand up for what is right?

July 4th, 2024 is upon us. Independence Day. As we celebrate this American holiday, never forget freedom has a cost. Just as being a Christian. I thank our Founding Fathers and all who have served this country.

When it’s my time to go, I want to make sure I’ve been a good and faithful servant for the One True King!

What’s this life gonna cost you?

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