While watching TV, I heard a story about a woman who decided to sky dive for her 100th birthday. Her children, who were in their seventies, thought she was crazy. However, the great, great grandchildren thought she was cool. What a remarkable lady! Most people wouldn’t have had the courage to face that kind of challenge at any age, and surely not at 100 years old! Even more interesting, this grandmother wanted to be remembered for being gutsy and as one who enjoyed life to the fullest.
Indeed, her perspective and attitude raises a compelling question: “How will I be remembered?”
In obituaries, they typically write the date of birth and the date of death of a deceased person. In the middle of the two dates is a dash that represents the years the person lived. Those obituaries always cause me to reflect on my life and ask myself a few questions. “What legacy will I leave? Am I living life to the fullest?” And again, “How will I be remembered, not only on earth, but throughout eternity?”
Every one of us can ask ourselves those questions, but where do we start in order to answer them? I believe what I call the “Triple P’s” can offer insight to these questions. They are: Priorities, Present, and Purpose.
Priorities
Priorities is about making the main thing – the main thing, and keeping what’s important – important. For instance, relationships are crucial to fulfillment. However, sometimes they are neglected or abused. On the other hand, it takes time and effort to be more loving, attentive, and forgiving. Prioritization assists us in choosing the specific areas that mean the most and giving them preeminence. Also, it steers our attention away from concerns that at the end of the day doesn’t really matter.
Present
Next, embrace and enjoy the daily gift – the present. Each day is a fresh new start with 24 hours, 1440 minutes, and 86,440 seconds. Often, the day is spent dwelling on the past – what “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve” happened – but its over. Learning from mistakes is therapeutic, but we can’t change the past or predict the future. What’s in our grasp is the moment that’s in front of us, with amazing possibilities. Let’s make it count!
Purpose
Lastly, we have an opportunity to focus on a divine “purpose driven” life. This means utilizing our time, talents,and treasures to bring glory to Jesus Christ. This includes adding value to those around us and releasing the dreams that we have inside of us. We only have a short time on the earth to make an eternal difference. Psalm 90:12 states, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom”. Proverbs 9:10 also states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
