June / July 2015 - Vol. 80
CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY

hand on heart 
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Carpe Diem: Seizing the Moments in Your Life  
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by Tom Caballes

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” 
- Isaiah 55:6–7

Several months ago I had a car accident. I thanked God that in spite of the accident, I was safe. But it shook me for a while, knowing one moment everything was fine and then suddenly finding this car speeding in front of me without a time to stop. What if I was hit by the other car, knowing that the other car is heavier and bigger than mine? What if it was my time to go?

I also looked back in my life when I was in grave danger – being hit by a taxi when I was twelve, nearly being hit by a motorboat while swimming when I was in my twenties, and when my appendix burst more than ten years ago and I underwent emergency surgery.

Most of the times I take life for granted, until these events come. Now more than ever, I thank God for this precious one life that He has given me. How about you – in spite of all the challenges you face now, do you thank God daily for your life? Do you seize your day for God?

So How Do I Seize the Moments in My Life?

  1. We all live on borrowed time. We can only be rich or happy up to a point in this life, and then one day we have to leave them behind. The way to make the most out of this life is to insure you will have everlasting life with God. How? By following Jesus with all of your life, for the rest of your life.

  2. No matter how young or old you are, you need to be ready to be ready ‘to go’ anytime, anywhere. We are citizens of heaven, [Philippians 3:20] and that is our real permanent home. We need not to be attached to anything in this life – money, possessions, honors, and even includes good relationships.

  3. Count each day as if it might be your last. Do not leave any important things – activities, decisions, relationships, etc. for granted, as if you have all your future is ahead of you.

  4. Make sure everything in your life is in place before the inevitable. Life insurance, wills, etc. should be ready and updated all the time so that those who you will leave behind will know what do when you are gone. It is wise and loving to make sure that your loved ones are taken care of when you are gone.

  5. If you have anger within, deal with it NOW: learn to forgive and let go while there is time. You need to CHOOSE to forgive those who offended you. Jesus was very clear – you ask forgiveness as you forgive those who sin against you. You are in clear danger of not being forgiven if you choose not to forgive.

  6. Lastly, develop an attitude of gratitude for each and every day of your life. Life is a GIFT. God has chosen each and every one of us to live one life. Thank God for that one life. You will never have another – other than the one that comes eternal. It will either be a glorious eternity or a horrible one – either will be beyond compare. After all, eternity is just a breath, a heartbeat, or an accident away from reality.


Other Scripture passages: 

  1. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [James 4:14]
  2. Besides this you know the time that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. [Romans 13:11-12] 
  3. Other references: Matthew 18:21-35; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Philippians 1:21-23.


For personal reflection or group sharing

  1. Have I considered how temporary this life is? What am I attached with in this life?
  2. Am I prepared to ‘go’ anytime? How will those I leave behind cope when I go?

Tom Caballes is the National Senior Administrator and a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with 7 branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom also leads Kairos New Zealand, an outreach program for high school, university, and post-university aged people. 

Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters live in Wellington, New Zealand.

 

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 (c) copyright 2015  The Sword of the Spirit
publishing address: Park Royal Business Centre, 9-17 Park Royal Road, Suite 108, London NW10 7LQ, United Kingdom
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