I am not absolutely sure, but I think the death of a child might be the deepest pain that an individual can experience in life.
I am confident however it has been my deepest hurt in life. There are things I would do differently if I had known Jake would die at 22.
Tuned into XM radio the other day Tim McGraws famous song Live like you were dying began to play.
As I listened to the words again I thought about our easily forgotten destiny.
We all know that everybody has an expiration date. It’s not a thought we rest on too long. It’s uncomfortable. But if we did it just might change us for the good.
If you knew you or a loved one had a week to live what would you do? What would be on your bucket list?
Not to be too dark but we all are on a death march. We aren’t promised tomorrow and if we knew that tomorrow would never come for us what would that change today?
Two condemned criminals on crosses next to Jesus were in that very spot. Hear the words of a man who began to live like he was dying and the gracious response to him by our Lord.
[41] And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” [43] And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:41-43
Listen to the thief’s confessions about himself and his new faith in Jesus at deaths door. This is truly the beginning of living like he was dying and he received eternal life.
Today is the day of salvation. It’s the only day we presently have.
If we lived today, and every day, as our last day the world would be a much better place. Live like it is because it just might be. We aren’t promised tomorrow.
Wrestling with Jacob 