Friday, April 30, 2010

Life is a Gift...

Unfortunately, guys (and girls), the topic for this blog post was inspired by a tragic story. Today, there were 4 highschool seniors involved in an accident at HPCA, a private school near me. One guy, Justin Simmons, was ejected from the car and killed on the scene. Jacob Nance, the driver, was also ejected from the vehicle and injured severely. He is currently in a coma, after having had surgery. Apparently, speed was a major factor in the accident and the car flipped several times. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing them personally, but that doesn't take away from the fact that one died. I repeat, they were seniors. For those of you who don't know, I am a senior. I am not in any way trying to make this about me, no sir. I wanted to write this post today because when I hear of things like this, I literally am shattered. My heart breaks to hear about death. I realize that, if you are a believer, we will one day be united with Jesus, without pain or affliction. In my opinion, that doesn't make the idea of one's life being terminated sound any better.

When I hear about things like this, I always begin to really reflect on MY life. I begin to ask questions like this: How can I take life so for granted? Do I wake up every DAY and remember that the physical act of existing is a MIRACLE? How can we take away the ultimate gift of life from the innocent? How can I forget that every day when I get in my car to go to work, I am risking death? How can I procrastinate when I am not promised the next minute? What will I do with this life I've been given? Am I making an impact on anyone's life right now? Will my time here help influence someone or be used by God to lead someone to Him? Will I leave a legacy?

Guys, life is a gift. It's such a forgotten, neglected gift. We couldn't do ANYTHING without this gift. Nothing. Every day, when we wake up and sigh about the unearthly numbers on the clock before us, or groan because it's monday and not friday, or even if you wake up filled with hatred for this gift...we have to remember that we wouldn't be who we are without it. I, Jessica, would not be who I am without the LIFE that God GAVE me! Too often, life is squandered or smothered with distractions and meaningless things. Or, to take what I said literally, it is smothered. Everyday, babies are aborted without ever having been able to experience life. Everyday, someone, some person, some human being's LIFE, is extinguished by another. Everyday, someone, a person, a human being takes their own life. Think about that! Life is precious and we abuse that gift every day.

This won't be the longest post ever. As a matter of fact, it will be a very short one. But, life is short too, guys. I implore you all to really step back and think. What would happen if someone close to you, died in the next 5 minutes. What would happen if YOU died in the next 5 minutes. Make something of the time you have, guys.

UPDATE: 5/1/10, Jacob Nance died this next afternoon, after being taken off life support. R.I.P. Jacob.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.