Death is just a breath away. Our plug can be pulled at any time and then it’s over. But we don’t live like that. We live as if life will never end.

Some time ago I stood by a family member’s bed as she breathed slowly in and out. Her breathing was ragged behind the oxygen mask. And then, all of a sudden, without warning, she breathed her last breath.

Two days before, she was still chatting to everyone. She just had to get over the illness so she could go home again. Neither she, nor her children, nor the loved ones around her bed thought or expected that she would be leaving for her eternal home.

No, I don’t think we should be afraid and constantly wonder if our life is going to end today. We must live to the fullest as if today is our last day. We must do everything so that when we put our heads down for the last time, we’ll know that we’ve crossed the finish line at full speed.

But be careful that you don’t get so entangled in the world, that the world and its antics suck you in and you might lose the plot. We must realise that the worldly things entice our eyes away from the winning post.

¹¹Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices.

The experience at the family member’s bedside was like a stop sign on my life’s path so I had to stop for a while on my life’s journey to make sure that I was still on the right path.

I have to realise that the journey is not going to be here on earth forever. We’re only placed on earth temporarily. We’re strangers and not much more than visitors, who may be moving on tomorrow or the day after that.

That’s why I have to make sure that I’m ready, that I’m ready when I move on. It’s not that easy, because the world is trying its best to trip us up. Very easily the world tells us a story of nicer and better things. And so quickly we give in to those desires. Without realising it, we’re dragged away from what God wants us to do.

It’s good to take a break now and then on our life’s journey and to consider where we’re heading. Then we see where the world and its desires have sneakily taken up residence within us.

Then we must confess our sins and ask for help. Then we realise again that we’re not strong enough to face the world alone and we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us.

Live life to the fullest and try your hardest not to fall into the traps of the world.

Scripture
1 Peter 2:9-12

Reflection
Where are the places in the world where you trip?
How can you put on your unfamiliarity again?
Are you asking the Holy Spirit for help?

Prayer
Father, I know I’m only temporarily here in the world. Yet there are occasions where I cling to the world that messes up my life. Holy Spirit, please help me not to fall into the enemy’s traps. I would like to live according to my heavenly Father’s will. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.