We say this all the time when something bad happens. When we are reminded of how temporary our stay in this world is. When we are reminded that we only have a limited number of opportunities to seize the day. When we realize how heavy those unsaid things will be if you never get the chance to let them out someday.
Life truly is precious. A few dear friends of mine and a community that I have come to adore and call my family is hurting tonight. One of their own lost his life biking across the country to raise money. He lost his life because someone didn't have the good sense to stay off the road when they weren't capable of driving safely.
We've all seen that story played out in one way or another in our lives. We've all experienced tragedy, and we will all experience tragedy again. But how do we respond to it?
This well-loved guy who had a heart for adventure left this world seizing the day. Seizing the moment. He left the world trying to accomplish something big, and I think an appropriate way to approach a tragedy like this is to look at your own life and see what ways you aren't living big. What risks aren't you taking? What words aren't you saying? What opportunities are you missing? Where is fear taking over and pushing out life? What regrets will you have if you go out having not done something bigger than yourself?
My friend Ashley is ten million times braver than I am and she is over in Africa taking chances and living life. She had a pretty wild rafting accident on the Nile not too long ago, and she said this to us when we asked if she was OK.
"My paddle got caught in a wave and the end (with my first) hit me straight in the eye. Was so worth it, though. Sink or swim, I'm diving in. Hope you do the same wherever you are at."
"My paddle got caught in a wave and the end (with my first) hit me straight in the eye. Was so worth it, though. Sink or swim, I'm diving in. Hope you do the same wherever you are at."
Life doesn't owe us anything; including time or safety or health. But we owe it to ourselves and to God (who has given us life and opportunities) to take full advantage and saddle up.
Sink or swim, I'm diving in. Hope you do the same wherever you are at.
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