The neon sign stopped me in my tracks. Looking at the picture I took then, stopped me again. It is an invitation, calling, and question. Stark, blunt, and direct. To be alive, living is part of it. To live, really, fully, and completely is also in the word. I see a word covering the “what” and the “how”. The missing part is the “why”, or is it subtly buried in the neon?
The fact that I am here, live, is a gift. How I live is a choice over which I exercise my freedom. I would like to think that why I live is also my choice. I have come to appreciate the reality of the answer to why is a combination of accepting the gift of life and expressing my view of the why by how I live.
Hopefully, my mix of words did not make the questions for the day ahead more confusing. The reminders I find myself holding onto include the following.
Living actions and words are my life’s artefacts and outcomes. In awareness, with a desire to learn and grow, I find myself reflecting and examining what I did. I think I know what I intended to happen. In comparing my ideals to reality, I find myself with opportunities to increase my awareness. In multiple ways, life offers me ways to grow and potentially be better today than I was yesterday.
The way I live reveals my values and priorities. The truth is often hidden by myself in my feeble attempt to feel good. When opportunities come, my response tangibly expresses my heart. Invitations are here; “Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She’s a key representative of the church at Cenchrea.” (Romans 16.1). What follows, once expressed, is a gift for reflection and action.
To be alive is both active and passive. Yesterday leaves me with a gift for reflection. Today offers me a stage to live.
