Live a Life that Lasts

This week, a friend of a friend died.
He was young.  Some would say he had his whole life ahead of him.  But he didn't.   One day he woke up unresponsive, and the next he was gone.  No warning, no time to plan his last days.  He just left.
It didn't matter what he planned to do next week.  It didn't matter what achievements he wanted to reach.  Because it was all gone, a memory.  The only things that mattered were what he already did.
I don't often think of death.  The unknown is scary and dark.  I don't want to be a morbid person that always dwells in the bleak future.
But I think it's healthy to realize this:  we don't know if we have tomorrow.
The man who died thought he had time.  He probably had plans and dreams and hopes.  But they didn't matter.
Dear friends, make sure that your today counts.   Live in light of eternity.  Books, school, activities, life, nothing matters unless they're done for Him.  Live a life that lasts.
If you died tomorrow, would today matter?  Are you loving others and living for Christ?  Or do you let the days slip between your fingers?
This is a different post than most.  I wasn't planning on writing this, and I don't want to sound discouraging or dark.  Death, for Believers, is simply a step away from pain and into Jesus' presence.  It's a day of rejoicing because our mission is complete!  But as I remembered the short life we have, I wanted to remind you: eternity is all that matters.
I hope to restart our series on Project Love next week.   Until then, remember to be living for our Savior.  Live a life that lasts.
I'll end with a poem I wrote today.   I hope it inspires you to take a deeper look at life and seek to shine bright as daughters of the King.
Love,
    Hosanna

  
Only a Candle

The wick sinks low, silent flame quivers
one breath of air whispers through
and I am gone,
a memory.
no warmth, no light
continual stillness, life stolen by death.

What would my days have meant?
would someone miss me, shedding tears
longing for one last day together?
or would life go on,
birds still sing and sun still shine
life being lived without me?
another candle could be lit
to fill the void I left,
hours slipped between my fingers.

But as I rejoice in heaven
I hope that someone would sigh,
“this young girl drew me to Jesus’ arms,
and I have a reason to live.”

If only one heart was brightened
by the glow my fire had lit
it would be worth all
the pain, the tears
my life would have been well lived.

Yet still the sun is shining warm,
and birds sing in the trees
another day, a life to live
to laugh, to cling, to love.

A day is but a memory
‘til it becomes
something more.

"... be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." - Revelation 2:10b