Living Vs. Being Alive?

Death is more universal than life; Everyone dies, but not everyone lives. ~Alan Sachs

I love that quote so much. There is a world of difference between living and actually being alive. Because everyone lives, but not everyone is alive. Let me illustrate by sharing a recent story. The other day I went around town and dropped off flyers for those interested in learning piano lessons. A few hours later, I received a phone call from a Dad whose three daughters were interested in learning piano. A little bit into the conversation, he questioned, "Would you be interested in teaching a forty-year-old man piano?" Taken by surprise, I managed to stutter out a reply. Thankfully, he was a very talkative man and quickly explained himself. In September, he explained, he'd fallen from a thirty-foot window mill and had literally died. The doctors, however, had been able to bring him back to life by inserting a metal tube into his heart. The tube was the only thing currently keeping him from bleeding to death. It was sort of a experiment, the Dad explained to me. And even though he was stable at the moment, he honestly had no clue how long he would live. He could live to be old or could die anytime. Because of that, he wanted to enjoy every moment and learn new things-one of which, happened to be piano. He concluded: "When I'm lying there dying, I wanna be able to say, 'I did it all.'" That blew me away; I was so inspired and touched by this true story. This brings up a question: why do we live our lives assuming we'll live to be old? Not too long ago, a teenager around here was killed in a tragic car accident. Even though I didn't know him, I remember feeling affected. He was seventeen when he was killed me-the same age of me. If I died right now, would I be okay with it? Part of me says yes. I cannot wait to meet Jesus, walk with Him in heaven, and climb on His lap. I can't wait to meet the brothers and sisters my Mom miscarried before they ever had the chance to live. But at the same time, I know there's still so much I want to do here, now, before I die. That's part of the reason I started a bucket list and try to be so intentional about making memories. I don't just to live. I don't just want to live for a check list or get wrapped up in the busyness and worries of life. After all, relationships are the only thing we can take to heaven. At the end of the day, our checklists don't matter one bit. All that matters at the end of the day-all-is relationships. Our relationship with God  is of utmost importance followed by our relationships with those around us. When I die, no matter how old I am, I want to have nothing left in me.

      Nothing. 

      I want to have spent everything-my energy, my time, my money-investing into my relationship with God and my relationships with the people God has graciously surrounded me with. I really like how it was phrased in a Bible verse I read yesterday-something to be degree of being poured out like a liquid offering. When most people think of 1 Corinthians 13, commonly referred to as the "Love Chapter", they often think, "Love is patient, love is kind..." But I love the first couple verses of the chapter. Check them out! It basically says that without love, we are nothing. It doesn't matter if we give all we have to the pour, if we are martyrs, if we can speak in tongues...Without love, our lives are nothing. 

     So. I encourage you guys to go out and BE ALIVE. Live life to the fullest. That's why Jesus died. Go pour yourself out. Die to yourself. Love. Leave it all on the playing field. Stop making excuses. Relationships are the only thing that matter-don't forget it! 

God, help me. I don't just want to fight to survive.

I want to experience what it means to be fully alive.