What if Today Was the Last Day of Your Life?
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Loading ...June 27, 2008 by C.S. Hughes
One of my good friends, Travis Alexander, the one who inspired me to re-launch this site, even before I was remotely close to ready, recently passed away. He was so young, so talented and so full of life. One day he was with us. The next day he was gone. It was sudden and unexpected to say the least. His passing has been hard on many people. Especially those with no belief in, or understanding of the afterlife . Though I have a pretty complete knowledge about where we go when we die, I too have had a rough go-round with his passing. I have thought about it many hours every day since I got the news.
A few days ago, I was reading in a scriptural commentary where one of the authors, Joseph Fielding McConkie, wrote the following words, “Anything that brings you closer to God is a blessing.” That statement stopped me in my tracks. It almost took the wind out of my lungs. Since Travis’s passing, I have felt closer to God. I have felt closer to my wife and to my kids. I was rocked and humbled to the core. I was reminded how sacred and precious life is. I felt very vulnerable and reached out to God to fill me with peace. And, He delivered. When loved ones are taken from us, we are not blessed because they are gone, but because they are gone, God will bless us by reaching out to us, healing our souls and bringing comfort to pain laden hearts. And perhaps, even working miracles in the lives of the survivors.
My intention for writing this entry was not to take you all to Sunday School, although I think that is a good place to go. But let me say this and we can move on. It has been my experience that God ALWAYS takes something bad, even something tragic, and somehow, some way, turns it into good. I guess that’s just part of His Power. Many miracles have happened since Travis crossed over to the next life. And the ripple effect will go on for ever.
Not only have I been humbled and come closer to my Maker, I have also done some serious soul searching and have asked myself some very intense questions; namely…
WHAT IF TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY OF MY LIFE?
Would I be ready to go back to that God who gave me life? Would I leave behind a legacy? Would my wife and children know that I love and adore them? Would my family know that I knew God and that I loved Him?Would my memory live on, or quickly fade away? Have I done any good in the world? Did I leave my life-print in the world? Did I live in honor and integrity? Did I forgive anyone who had wronged me? Did I ask for forgiveness of anyone I had wronged? And on and on and on. I have asked myself all of the above questions and many, many more. And now I ask you…
WHAT IF TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY OF YOUR LIFE?
Would you be ready to go? Would you be ready to meet God, even if you don’t believe He exists? Do you know where you came from before you were here? Do you know why you are on this planet? Do you know where you’re going when this life is through? Do you know the purpose of life? Did you give your family and this life your best? Have you stood for something? What makes you unique? How will you be remembered? Are you using the time you have been given wisely, and for the right purposes? Are you putting your best foot forward? Are you giving your best to those who matter most? Are your priorities in order? Have you lived a life of service and selflessness or a life of selfishness? Are you good to people? Will your family be taken care of when you’re gone? Do you have a will? A living will? A trust? Life insurance? Are you happy with all that you have done in life? Have you done all that you wanted to do? What else do you want to do? What do you need to do? Last question…
What’s the hold up??
If I were called Home today, I would be ready in some ways… perhaps in the most important ways. But in other ways, though not the most important, but definitely significant, I am not ready. It’s been said that the richest place on earth is the cemetery. So many have been laid to rest with dreams unfulfilled, goals unaccomplished, songs unsung, books unpublished, and inventions that could have changed the world hidden in the confines of a buried mind. I don’
t want my genius to pass away undiscovered and unknown. We all have a genius. And we all have something to do and something to give. And this life is the time to do it.
We have one shot to make this life the best it can be. There are no do-overs or PGO’s in this life. It’s now or never. Will this life be one of joy and happiness or one of misery and regret? Will we be proud of what we did while here? More importantly, will our children? And, our children’s children? There are only two groups of people who know who their great, great, great ancestors are by name and by history; those who are engaged in genealogy research, and those whose great, great, great ancestors did something great…
something worth talking about, and something worth remembering. You and I will either be remembered or forgotten. I want to be remembered and be remembered for something great. What about you?
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Regards,
C.S. Hughes
Chief Visionary Officer
Personal Development for Free
http://www.PD4Free.com
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Enjoyed your candid look at this fragile gift that we call life. What a gift!
I too, have had dear friends pass away. It does rock you into reality. My mom died at 33. I was only 9. Talk about rocking your world. I didn’t do very well.
My dad passed at 52. Still very young. My brother’s wife was 46. Their little girl was only 7. Hit by a car! Gone!
This week, I turned 59. Still feel young. But, I’m moving closer to that big step. It is good to be reminded that we only have one life, It will soon be passed. Only what is done for Christ will last. I want to go after the true treasures of life.
One day, we’ll wake up and the time and opportunity that we had here, will be over. I don’t want to wake up in eternity only to discover that I missed the point.
Ever heard the story of a guy that went on long hikes in the wilderness? He journeyed in a mountanous dessert. Suddenly, a storm came up. Darkness swooped in. Sand blasted him from everywhere. He groped his way on looking for shelter. He heard a voice say, “Stop and pick up the pebbles under your feet.”
It felt like he was in a dry creek bed. He grabbed a hand full of pebbles and quickly moved on. Then, a few hundred feet further, he found a large rock, snuggled in behind it and fell asleep.
In the morning, the storm was passed. Everything was covered with sand. With the position of the mountains and the sun, he resumed his journey. About noon, he remembered the strange experience during the storm. The voice. The pebbles. He reached into his pocket and pulled them out. To his surprise, they weren’t pebbles at all. They were rubies, saffires, diamonds, and emeralds!
What would your first thought be? Rich? What about, “Where was that place?” If I only knew then, what I know now, I would have done things differently.
Some places in life, we just pass through once. I don’t want to be focused on my goal (like the big rock) that I miss the real treasures that are right under my feet!
That is the way to live. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Go after things that are eternal! What can you take with you? Only one thing. Everything else stays here. You can, “Lay up treasure in heaven!” Stock piles!
Thanks for the reminder!
Len
Amen, Friend.
You words are so true.With God as are main lead , how can we go wrong? The answer is , we really cant.
The Word says that we should do all things as if we were doing it for the Lord, and to do all things in love. If we do that , and with his guildance. We will not fail.Great message.
Rev. Richard Allen Kent
June 27, 2008
Great comments guys. Thank you for stopping by. Let’s do something GREAT today! I’m off to help a family in my church move into the neighborhood! How about you?
Mr. Hughes,
I only learned of Mr. alexander’s passing a couple of days ago. I was wondering why he did not return my last calls or email I sent him. I thought this was very odd. I was very shocked when Mr. Gregg informed me. I have a deep appreciation and respect for the life The Lord has given us; and I am in awe when I read in God’s word the the result of the choice we make by our lifestyles as to the final destination for our souls after this life has ended on earth.
I met Mr. Alexander for the first time this past March in Oklahoma, and I asked him how old he was because he looked very young to me (a woman nearing 60 but feeling only 35 or so)! Praise God!
God gets our attention in a variety of ways. One of the most traumatic ways is through tragedy or serious illness; or something occurring to someone close to us that deeply touches us. It is when we allow those times to capture our attention that we know we have not wandered out in the wilderness so far that we are unable to turn arund. When we have fooIed ourselves into believing that we are doing - instead of remembering that God is doing, is when HE really needs to get our attention in a serious way. Sometimes we fool ourselves into believing that mediocre is good enough - because afterall - we are only human!
That sounds good but — I believe that when we can be honest with ourselves and are constantly striving to perfect those things in our life that make us more pleasing to God is when we know we are reaching for the mark.
Also, we must not fool ourselves religiously - we cannot believe what we want, do what we want or continue in some tradition that we cannot find in the Word. We must be obedient and not comfortable. We cannot do what feels good and believe we are pleasing to God.
The things in my life that I need to do more of or get better at are wrtten in my daily goals and daily, as well as throughout the day I pray to God about them, visualize, focus or whatever it takes. I know each of us have a greatness within - if we would only let it out - we can all succeed in whatever we do. And we do so many times forget to appreciate the people or tell them that we do; and small things that are right in front of us day after day.
I forget the complete quote, but it goes something like this - become what you want from others - in other words, if you want love, love more and passionately, give more, help more, be more understanding, listen more. And none of this can be done successfully unless we stay close to God, walking in the light and having a continuing, growing faith as small as a mustard seed!
Well, those are just a few of my inner thoughts.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Lillie Arnold
Chris,
Thank you for taking the time to give us such a powerful reminder. You are making a difference.
What a great gift we have been given to be here. A close friend of mines father in law recently passed and I was at the srvice. I listened to his family talk of the legacy he left behind and the kind of person he had become. What a great legacy. As they spoke, it really made me think of what legacy I will leave. As you mentioned, God always turns tragidy into something good. It made me realize how much more I need to do in the short time we have. As you always seem to do Chris, I thank you for your message and putting life into perspective of why we are really here. My relationship with god has become much closer since the service. I know that with the guidence of ourHeavenly Father, there is no failure.
Great words Chris. I haven’t stopped thinking about Travis since the day I heard, but your words are comforting. I have to remember the big picture and be thankful I had him in my life.
Chris… Thank you so much, your words are such a comfort. I was really struck by that quote, “Anything that brings you closer to God is a blessing.” Ever since I have found out about Trav I have grown closer to God, but I hadn’t really thought of it as a blessing. Thank you so much for your blogs they really have helped me, I am not sure I could ever really express how much I appreciate them. Thank you. Have an incredible day.
No matter how a family member or friend dies, it still hurts. We question God even and sometimes we get mad at him. There will never be a answer to the “whys” that just the way it is. The creator is in control and we must trust and believe on him.
Mr. Huges, Travis Alexandar, was blessed in having a caring friend like you and perhaps that is why God placed him in your life to help move others to do what is necessary.
You touched my heart and kindly reminded me to live my best life today and stop procrastinating. You are so right, tomorrow is not promised; yesterday is but a memory; today is the only chance we may have to get it right.
Thank you Chris.
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Thanks for the wonderful message. I hope you continue to inspire others.
God bless you and your family