Creating Lasting Experiences
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?””
Life is short. You turn on YouTube, and you get hours of “productivity gurus” giving you advice on how you can “make the most of every minute.” Now, I am the first to plan my day, work hard, and cherish time, but when we focus on striving for every moment, we lose sight of what is essential. When we look back at our work and family life, it isn’t how productive we are or how many “To-Do” tasks we have checked off our lists but the meaningful moments we experience that define us.
In “Life Is Short. What Have You Done About It?” by Thomas Oppong, we are called to consider, “How are you spending the rest of your life?” I’ve been with people with just minutes to live who create an experience that will be remembered for the rest of their loved ones’ lives. I remember one occasion when a matriarch was just about to die but was still blessed with a focused mind and the ability to speak. She told each family member how much she loved them and then encouraged them to retain their faith so they would feel at peace with their moment of death as she does now. Their pastor will never forget it. I cannot imagine the lasting impact it had on her family.
Oppong declares, “We can either settle with less and be complacent in our comfort zones or step out of our cocoons and embrace everything life offers us.” Even when life is minutes from ending, we can embrace the moment with passion, integrity, and faith. When years and decades are left in life, just think about the opportunities available to enjoy, instruct, and encourage. Even when Jesus was alone in prayer, it became an event between himself and God. You, too, can create authentic moments between yourself, God, and others.
Oppong continues, “The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today,’ says Seneca in the book, On the Shortness of Life.” Anxiety and control issues can manipulate us into focusing on yesterday and tomorrow and keep us from the moments of experience right before us. Come to God in prayer and ask for the courage to face our anxiety and fear so we can focus on the moment. When we do, not only will we benefit, but those around us will be blessed as well. Just as the dying woman did not let anxiety and fear of death interfere with her blessed moment, do not let special moments pass by you.
