Remember to Live
Stop wasting time being productive.
For as long as I can remember I’ve viewed life as short and fleeting.
The relative brevity of our time on Earth has been a major factor motivating me to make a difference in the world while I still have the strength and time to do so. However, this philosophy also contributed to packed calendars and innumerable to-do lists, deliverables and deadlines, which ironically may have detracted from what I believe to be one of the main reasons I was created in the first place.
I have invested quite some time making sure that the activities that consume my days are intrinsically purposeful: that they contribute to a wider objective — a greater cause, if you will.
Upon reflection, I’ve had the opportunity to ask myself: can these endeavours and activities, though purposeful, serve to distract me from the point of life itself and/or from living a purposeful life? One may be tempted to assume that a life full of purposeful activities would automatically and naturally result in a purposeful life, but perhaps this requires deeper analysis.
There’s an often told story in the Bible, about Jesus, Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha were sisters and Jesus and his disciples had come to visit. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching, while Martha was being purposeful and productive: she was being a good host and ensuring that their guests would be able to eat. But Martha became frustrated while watching her sister relaxing and complained to Jesus. The Bible’s account of this incident is rather illuminating:
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one[1]. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40–42)
Mary has chosen what is better? Huh? Martha is working hard, and for a good cause: for the comfort and well-being of others. Mary is listening and learning from Jesus. One would think that the activities of these two women were at least of equal value: but the Bible refers to Martha’s work as a distraction. That seems a bit harsh doesn’t it?
I work with musicians a lot. One phrase that I hear often is “music is life”. What do they mean? They mean that they derive a sense of deep satisfaction, fulfilment and enjoyment not only when they have an opportunity to perform but when they see others enjoying what they’ve created. The feeling is euphoric, and addictive: and this is the creation and expression of ideas and feelings of mere mortals. If God does indeed love and feel, like it says that he does in John 3:16, how do you think it makes Him feel when we enjoy the blossom of a rose, the dawn of a new day, or the opening of the eyes of a newborn? You don’t have to guess: it’s important enough for Jesus to refer as a distraction, the good things that keep us busy — like preparing to host gatherings or meetings — even ones where He himself may be in attendance!
The claim made in John 3:16 in the Bible is profound. It reads: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Yet even as persons of faith recite these words throughout the globe, it can be easy to forget that God gave his son we could have life. Jesus’s own words captured in John 10:10 serve to drive the point home: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. If you’re a person of faith and you believe that Jesus came to Earth, and died — so that you can have a full life — you may wish to take the time to ensure that you’re not confusing being busy or being active, for living.
The reason we devote ourselves to important causes is so that ourselves and future generations can better enjoy life. Yet so often we are consumed by the things we do: and whether in the name of God, justice or making money — so that we can live — we often forget to live. We forget to take the time to connect with those that may be a bit distant. To breathe. To see the majestic splendour in a single drop of dew. To feel the grass underneath one’s feet.
To reflect upon what an amazing privilege it is to be alive, and what a blessing it is to breathe.
Sadly, this may even be the case in organisations that are devoted to fostering positive change on earth and for eternity. Indeed, within NGOs, universities and churches our lives can be consumed with tasks, programmes and activities. Sometimes we forget the importance of remembering to share our lives and important moments with those whom we love.
Incidentally therefore, while there are certainly some that may need to spend more time within the church, reflecting upon the questions raised therein, there may be a tiny multitude that need to spend less time within its walls and more time connecting to the world around them. Why? Because we may raise a generation that has expert levels of knowledge about Church buildings, services and meetings but know nothing of the real, vast and deep love that God has for them. Indeed, we may produce a generation that is little more than a sophisticated fan club: persons that (with the help of their favourite YouTube preacher), know much about Jesus — where he was born, where he lived, the names of his parents and some of the cool things he said — but know nothing about how he feels about them, personally.
Creation exists for our wise stewardship and enjoyment. Instead, at times it can feel as though we have converted creation (i.e. human and natural resources) into factors of production, to be used in services or for special projects. People become volunteers or pastors, and trees are transformed into chairs or pulpits. Nothing is wrong with this of course, but if we’re all cogs in a wheel, then it becomes easy to forget why we’re here in the first place. We’re created from love, to love. We’re meant to love God AND his creation (that includes each other and the environment). Moreover, we are meant to be loved by God. In order for that to happen, like all relationships, we need to make room in our lives. If we can invest time in meetings and conferences, time can certainly be invested in getting to know our creator, His creation and ourselves. Time alone is not time wasted: it can be time taken to appreciate the breath in your lungs.
Perhaps as we reflect upon our lives and the year that has passed, maybe we need to reset our focus for 2021. Maybe we should place our focus on the things and people that really, really matter. Maybe we should remember that amidst every good thing and every good cause, is an underlying truth: none of those things as important as life itself. And if you are a Christian reading this, it might be worth remembering that your life is what Christ died for.
Remember to live.
