Discovering Life: Adages of a College Freshman

It’s Not Your Birthday, But Here’s a Present. | March 18, 2009

I’ve been reading a book called “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. It’s a spectacular read for anyone seeking to establish a true and intimate relationship with Christ. While reading, I came upon this quote by Frederick Buechner:

“Intellectually we all know that we will die, but we do not really know it in the sense that the knowledge becomes a part of us. We do not really know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, we tend to live as though our lives go on forever.”

Last semester, I stared astonishment directly in the face. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting on my bed, typing on my computer when my neighboring suitemate walked in and asked me if I had heard about my roommate. I was like ‘No, what’s up’?

‘He was killed in a car crash last night’.

My body went into a cold chill. I had just spoken to him! And now he’s…dead? It was an eerie feeling and remained so for several subsequent nights. Every time I would hear the door open, my heart would jump, expecting him to walk in. I found it hard to sleep. It happened so quickly…

So unexpectedly.

We, in all of our carnality, have become quite arrogant in regards to this life thing. We’re not ignorant to death…we just feel we’re invincible. We know death will come eventually, we just don’t think it’ll come tomorrow…or the next day…or even the next week.

But what great knowledge we’ll obtain once we realize that our supposed invincibility cowers in the face of death.

God has given you a present…literally. It’s called the ‘Present’. It means ‘the period of time that is happening now’. How much longer will you continue to disregard such a gift?

How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to the worries and cares of this life, rather than the glorification of your savior who has commanded you to rejoice in him always (he even said it twice!)? How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to satisfying your own fleshly desires and worshipping at the altar of ‘Me’ rather than hearkening unto the Lord and his commandments?

How much longer will you continue to push God out of your ‘present’ and figure that he won’t mind? How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to seeking fame, riches, and the feeble approval of others, rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness?

How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to dwelling in the past and what “Should’ve Been” rather than embracing the future and what “Can Be”? How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to playing the role of the ungrateful brat who’s found constantly complaining about the things they don’t have rather than thanking God for the things they do have (yet don’t deserve).

How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to religious bickering and bantering rather than Godly love? How much longer will you continue to devote your ‘present’ to fooling yourself into believing that this Life is about you, when it’s been about God and God alone from the very beginning?

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:13-14)

What is your life? Does God take priority over all, or does he just ‘Fit in’ where he can ‘Get in’? I’m no betting man, but I’m willing to put all of my chips on our Jealous God NOT accepting second-place.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

I pray we all take heed.