If I could live my life over…
“For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told” (Psalm 90:9). In essence, life is a story, albeit a very short story at best. We should number our days, in order to make every day count.
Life is too short no matter how long it is. Life is a vapor, fleeting at best. Many come to the end of life and say, “I only wish I had more time. I only wish I had made more plans for my future, for the hereafter.” What if the doctor pronounced the bad news to you that you only had one more year to live? One more month? One more week? One more day? What would you do differently? Start making the change TODAY!
A national survey of seniors polled people ninety years and over and asked this question: “If I could live my life over again, I would have…?” Three responses were consistent among those surveyed: 1) They would have taken more time to enjoy the little things; 2) They would have taken more risks; 3) They would have done something that would outlast themselves. Each response deserves our careful consideration and personal application.
First, they would have “taken more time to enjoy the little things.” People live such rushed lives they have little time for the minor miracles of life and nature, yet they surround us. When was the last time you took time to observe a brilliant sunrise or a golden sunset? It’s the little things that make life so grand.
Second, they would have “taken more risks.” Try new things, get out of your comfort zone, and actually make your dreams come true. We should start fulfilling the dreams and visions God has placed in our hearts. What would you do for God if you were not afraid? We need to get out of the box, take more risks. Try and if you fail, try again. Attempt great things for God and His kingdom. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Third, they would have “done something that would outlast themselves.” Invest long-term. Spend time investing in something bigger than us that will outlive us. We need to spend time planning for the future and future generations, and ultimately, preparing for eternity with God. If your life is just preparing for retirement, you have missed it! Are you making plans for eternity? Life is meant to be lived for Jesus Christ. God has a purpose for your life. Are you fulfilling that purpose? Do you even know what that purpose is? “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:20).
Obviously, living life over is impossible. We cannot go back and just start over. However, each of us can start now doing things we would do differently. It is never too late to make a fresh start. The Chinese proverbs state “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” So I pose the question to you: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do?” The good news is you can start over today. Enjoy the little things. Take more risks. Do something that will outlive you. Start living the life you would live today. Live every day of your life
