We get so busy in life that we forget to live. Do you ever have that feeling? Do you ever have the feeling that life seems to be moving past you quickly, that every day is like a blur and you wonder what it is that you actually experienced or accomplished? You fall into bed at night, exhausted, and then lay awake replaying the stresses of the day. Life can seem like a vicious cycle. And so…

We get so busy and distracted in life that we forget to live.

There is so much life in the wonder of the world around us. There is the wonder of the seasons: the greening of the earth, the colors, the freshly fallen dew, the sound of rain upon a window pane. There is the wonder of a friendly smile, a warm touch, a forgiving heart. There is the wonder and refreshment in laughter, and the cleansing nature of a good cry. For me, I have learned that slowing my pace to be better aware of the wonder around me gives me a feeling of being more alive, having more energy and balance. It is, I believe, what God intends for us.

Recently, in one of my sermons, I referenced the familiar phrase, “God did not give us life as a problem to be solved.” I have often thought about that statement. I have wondered that if God did not give us life as a problem to be solved, then for what purpose? To be lived! We are to breathe deeply of the fragrances of life – and live. And yet…

We get so busy and distracted in life that we forget to live.

There is so much life in being grateful for the small and large blessings. Being grateful is a disposition of the heart that frames each day in a way that has us anticipating the advent of blessing. Being grateful is to live with an attention to the ebbs and flow of life that, when attentive, amaze and energize us – humble us. Being grateful is coming to realize that life owes us nothing, that others owe us nothing, that God owes us nothing. Being grateful, then, has us be deeply appreciative of the graces of life that surround us. This is what God intends for us. And yet…

We get so busy and distracted in life that we forget to live.

There is so much life in the relationships in our lives that add flavor and flair to each day. There is the flavor and flair of a child’s simple questions, comical sayings, naïve assumptions, laughter in play. There is the flavor and flair of an argument that ends well, a joke that touches the funny bone or the one that is lame but we relish the effort. There is the flavor and flair of knowing – deep within – of the forgiveness that is gifted to us by God. This is what God intends for us. There is so much flavor and flair in life. And yet…

Don’t forget to live. Don’t become – out of habit – so busy, so distracted, so addicted to the grind of daily routine that you forget to live! Don’t forget the wonder around you. Don’t forget to be grateful in all things both small and large. Don’t forget to savor the flavor and flair of the relationships in your life.

Don’t forget to live!

Pastor Randy