Life

I am thinking about life these days. There is the end of life, and there is the beginning of life.

But life itself, as we know it on this earth, lies in between the beginning and the end.

We have the ancient writings of Moses, constituting the first five books of the Bible and telling the story of creation and the early history of people, especially of the Israelites. Moses recorded the famous Ten Commandments, guiding principles of life and society. He urged the people to follow them in order to prosper.

It was not about obeying a distant and mysterious religion. First and foremost before any list of rules, was to listen to the message in your own heart and soul; God’s very own voice asking for your love.

Moses said, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses… Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NLT)

He said that this message “is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.” (verse 14)

Our lives on this earth are so short in the scheme of things. If we are lucky enough not to lose our lives in some untimely fashion, we might feel we have lived a full life by the time we get past the middle stages and into retirement, having accomplished some of our goals or desires and therefore feeling fulfilled.

But is reaching goals and desires really what gives meaning to life? Only some people actually get to do that anyway. Moses said it was about loving God. Not about loving each other? We can’t see God, and many even doubt his existence.

And what even is love? It means different things to different people. Is it acceptance or kindness or gushiness or feeling comfortable together? Moses associated loving God with following his guidance and rules for living. Jesus summed up these rules by saying that firstly we need to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, and secondly (but just as importantly) to love our neighbour as ourselves. (Mark 12:30-31, NLT)

Hmm… “as ourselves”. Well, I feel loved when I have someone who looks out for my well-being. Not necessarily in the same room, or even always in the house with me, because I feel better if I have lots of time alone. Alone with God, that is. God’s Spirit is with me all the time without being intrusive. He is there to talk to, and in the quietness of meditation one can hear his voice too.

And it is the Holy Spirit who brings us good feelings too; those of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, NLT) Out of those we can really love each other, but more than being about each other we will be relating to God.

Life is often disappointing, and we cannot rely on other people, but if we purpose to love God and trust in him, he will be with us through this life and on into the next, which we catch glimpses of in the Bible as well.

So via con Dios my friend; love him and cling to him through it all, and be to others the way you would like them to be to you. This is the best way to live life.