Taking life for granted

I will start this blog post with this statement,

Most people who died yesterday had plans for today...

This statement hit me hard,because the same day that I read this, I drove past a car accident on the way home. This car drove into a cement truck and was hit by another car in the back, the man who drove the car died on the way to hospital.

I was really saddened to hear about his death and could not stop wondering what he could have had planned for the day, or who he was on his way to see. Questions that I will never have the answers to.

It made me reflect on my own life; I am so use to going to work, seeing my friends, going to uni and traveling to different places, that I don't really appreciate the things I do or the people I see.

I have been taking the people in my life for granted...I have been taking my own life for granted.

Waking up every morning is such a blessing, being able to drive to uni is something that a lot of people don't get to do and being with the people you love is a great privilege.

We are so fixated in coming and going as we have planned that we do not think about the moment that we are in.

When was the last time you told you told someone you loved them, and really meant it?

What I am trying to say is that, we need to live our life's, love unconditionally and be thankful for the days we do have because life is short, it can end any moment. Next time you see your family or friends, hug them and tell them you love them. To all my family or friends reading this, I love you, Ek is lief vir jou!

I leave you with this verse:

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Until next time

[C]

Honesty

Recently, I watched the movie 'Boyhood', a lengthy movie with an interesting perspective on growing up. The movie looks at the struggles people face and the triumphs that help to shape who we are as people. One particular part of the movie stuck with me and sparked a good conversation with a friend; "People always say 'seize the moment', but what if the moment seizes you?" We often try to live in the moment by taking chances and saying and doing things boldly. We seize the moment by jumping out of our comfort zone and becoming vulnerable.

Upon discussing this idea with a friend, we came to our own personal interpretation of the saying. We both realized that it mostly came down to honesty.

Honesty is the act of truthfulness. We often hide our own feelings or opinions because of our 'comfort zones' and try to bury our honest opinion under a more desired act or answer. We have become so self-aware and afraid of honesty that we claim a moment of boldness as seizing the moment. We are so afraid of the opinions others hold of us that we reflect what people want to hear.

How would our world look if we were all more honest?  Think about it... How great would it be if we could be open with each other and say what is truly on our minds...? To share what we believe in or how we feel.

This could be dangerous, I am aware, but would you rather see the perfect version of someone, or their most honest, broken self?

Hate to break this to everyone, but no one is perfect even if we try. We live in a broken, sinful world.

Light Of The World is about being in the darkness and shining your light.

But I can not shine my light if I am not honest; with myself and others.

I want to challenge you to be honest. Tell people you love them. Stand up for what you believe in, even if it's not the same as what others think.

We need to challenge each other. Life is not meant to be easy.

I leave you with this verse. Romans 12:3 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Until next time,

[C]