Life Is A Vapor

If I am honest, I typically avoid conversation about death. It is not that I am afraid of it, it is just uncomfortable to talk about. Death is inevitable, but avoiding conversations about it keeps it from being top of mind. We know it is going to happen, but we don't know when. We know we will be impacted by it, but we hope it is not with those we love the most or too soon. We have opinions about who should or shouldn't, when it should happen, how we would prefer it to happen, but the harsh reality is, it's the one thing that is completely out of our control. We cannot predict it, change it, and when it happens, even when someone is sick, there is no way to truly prepare for it.

I have noticed that I am seeing it more and more, not just with regular people, but with celebrities. Death is the ultimate equalizer, and when someone leaves this earth, no matter who they are, how much money they have, or how many people know them, we know there will be no more hugs, text messages, voicemails, dinners, or conversations. I think one of the most difficult things about it besides the unpredictability of grief, is once the funeral is over, the phone calls stop, and the check ins diminish, those impacted can experience extreme loneliness because everyone else has carried on with life.

When someone passes away we have a heightened sensitivity to the frailty of life, we realize we make small things big, we waste time and energy on things that don't matter, and we suddenly realize that the argument or disagreement could not have been worth the amount of damage or distance that occurred. We suddenly become grateful as we look around at who or what remains and we say to ourselves, I am going to be more intentional with my time, I am going to change, I am going to prioritize the things that matter, I am going to connect more with the ones I love. We do that for a little while, but in most cases we find ourselves reverting back to the same behaviors.

Let's not use death as a motivator because the motivation will not last. True change comes when there is a shift in your mindset, and that should be followed by small steps each day to do things differently. It takes consistency, discipline, and a decision that the old way does not work. It requires accepting grace and mercy when we make mistakes, not using it as an excuse, but using it as a reminder of how much we really need God. When I leave this earth, I don't want people to celebrate my life because of my accomplishments. I want them to be able to say I lived a life worth living. I want people to say that I admitted when I was wrong, that I learned to be content in every season, and that I took every opportunity to help and support others. I desire to leave this earth empty, pouring out all that I can, touching every heart that I am purposed to touch. I don't want my death to be a temporary motivator for others, but I am prayerful that my life is an example of what it means to be a Christ follower, resilient, living a life of service and sacrifice, and one that helps people reach their purpose while I am living.

Life is a vapor, and we only get one. Let's make the best of the time we have in this present moment because we do not know how long that moment will last. To all of you who fear death, a life of purpose helps combat that fear. When you live for something bigger than yourself, you will learn that you pass down a legacy that will live beyond your years on earth. To all who are grieving the loss of someone, whether it is recent or some time has passed, it does get easier. If you did not have the opportunity to have that conversation or say goodbye, write them a letter of all the things you wish you could have said. Seal it, and if it helps mail it. Now live in the freedom of knowing that you have an opportunity to do things differently with those you still have left. Write down the lessons they taught you, and the memories that made a difference. Sometimes our biggest fear is forgetting, and writing things down will help us remember. Embrace your present, no matter how messy it seems because honesty with self is the first step to moving toward a transformed life.

Life is a vapor, and we only get one, but every new day, we have an opportunity to have a fresh start. I think it's time for a fresh start.