Life Is Short

Life is short. As I move through middle age, I realize what a middle age crisis is. It's the period of time you realize that all the things that were promised in your childhood -- if you work hard, you will get the job, the spouse, the house, the kids, the big kid toys, the restful retirement -- that perfect life was an illusion. Life is not a linear path. It twists and turns and doubles back on itself. It takes you in directions you never wanted to go. The crisis is the moment you realize this is as good as it's gonna get.

But then...

On the other side of the crisis, there is an awakening, a transformation, an acceptance that life is not a linear path. And in accepting the reality, there is a freedom in claiming the non-linear path and running with it. There is a whole new world opened up when you've been through so much -- and survived so much -- there is so much less to fear. Now that you know you can survive just about anything, the sky's the limit! You've heard this question: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" Guess what? Having survived so much, what is there left to fear? What will you do with this newfound courage? What will you do now that fear no longer has a suffocating grip on your life? If life is determined to take you in a non-linear path, what crazy, awesome, courageous, fearless, quirky, and brilliant things will you take on? A new career? Foster parenting? Travel the world? Tiny house? Race cars? Open a business? Our days are few. What will you do with yours?

Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling-place
   in all generations. 
Before the mountains were brought forth,
   or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
   from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

You turn us back to dust,
   and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’ 
For a thousand years in your sight
   are like yesterday when it is past,
   or like a watch in the night. 

You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
   like grass that is renewed in the morning; 
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
   in the evening it fades and withers. 

For we are consumed by your anger;
   by your wrath we are overwhelmed. 
You have set our iniquities before you,
   our secret sins in the light of your countenance. 

For all our days pass away under your wrath;
   our years come to an end like a sigh. 
The days of our life are seventy years,
   or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
   they are soon gone, and we fly away. 

Who considers the power of your anger?
   Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due to you. 
So teach us to count our days
   that we may gain a wise heart. 

Turn, O Lord! How long?
   Have compassion on your servants! 
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
   so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
   and for as many years as we have seen evil. 
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
   and your glorious power to their children. 
Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
   and prosper for us the work of our hands—
   O prosper the work of our hands!