With the chaos and turmoil of our times, it is easy to be overwhelmed. The news seems to be either bad or uncertain. Even though one knows that financial reports today are a reflection of last month’s in store stories, I find myself struggling with depression. The battle has gotten the best of me! I am going through the motions, often paying little attention to life’s ordinary things. Everything blurs from one moment to the next. Days flow into weeks. I am not sure if I feel anything. Life is either boring or passing without a second thought.
The fact that our lives include boring “things” should not come as a surprise. Much of life’s stuff is mundane, routine, and predictable. My recent flight from Los Angeles to London fits is an example. When, “from Perga the rest of them traveled on to Antioch in Pisidia,” (Acts 13.13) is another one. Point A to B. Occasionally there is an interesting person to watch. From time to time, you find something to watch. However, for the most part, time goes by without anything particularly special.
If we think what I did on my trip, I would like to suggest that I, along with many others, am embracing something very dangerous. We think there are moments in life that we can ignore. I believe every moment in life matters, even the mundane ones.
I am not suggesting that there is not room for relaxing, doing nothing, or having fun. Quite the contrary! I believe that a healthy balance erring to the side of family, relationships, and having fun is the best way to live. The danger comes from not thinking about what one is doing. Be intentional, when relaxing.
Life is a gift. We have an opportunity to make a difference, to those around us as well as for ourselves. Any moment squandered is lost opportunity to make the world a better place. We can never recover a wasted moment. I want to maximize the time I have. You and I have the freedom to make this happen.
