The Moments That Define Our Life
Rom 12:15
15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
(NIV)
This summer I have attended no fewer than six weddings. I shared in the joy of happy couple after happy couple. I reflected on the beauty of love and the excitement of new love. You may think this unremarkable, but that is only because you do not know one key fact- I was not an invited guest to a single one of them! A wedding crasher? Yes, that’s me! Only I never ate a single piece of wedding cake, sipped the first ounce of punch, nor danced the first dance. I did not endure the tired stories of aunt Martha or the loud jestings of Grandpa Walt. I did not wear anything especially fancy to the weddings. In fact, I wore the same dress to all six. Oh, I varied my accessories from event to event. Different hairstyle, different t-shirt; different sunglasses. But without fail, I was wearing my one and only swim dress.
It seems my new favorite beach spot, is the premier wedding destination at Panama City Beach, Florida. After sun-bathing and splashing in the water for hours, all of a sudden, I would find myself thrust into a pivotal moment in time in the life of complete strangers. I felt like a trespasser, an interloper, as they brought down chairs, candles, greenery, rose petals… It felt rude to stare. But how could I not? I was sharing in a very private moment of life- in a very public place. The beauty of the blue sky, streaked with the paintbrush of sunset- the purples, pinks and oranges created by the descending sun. The sugar white sand, the music of seagulls calling to each other, all of this grandeur, served as a backdrop to the most special moment of these people’s lives. (Or at least I hope it was.)
All of this got me to thinking about the odd, and seemingly random, way that we intersect our lives with that of others. Usually, our meeting places are unremarkable- the grocery store, the doctor’s office, the salon. Sometimes, however, the moment is a cross road, for better or worse. While waiting in the hospital lobby, we observe people in the most exquisite moments of fear or pain that they will ever experience. Sometimes we just happen to be attending a church service where a baby dedication occurs. A sacred moment between the young parents and God. And we become party to the celebration.
We know that we have a duty to be there for our closest circle of friends and family. It would be unthinkable to miss baby’s first birthday, to not attend their father’s funeral, to fail to throw rice (or birdseed) at their wedding or to forget a milestone birthday. Those are big moments that require our involvement.
But life is made up of smaller moments. Moments that matter in a way we only discern with hindsight. Moments of upheaval thrown on people when they least expect it. Moments of rare beauty or gripping anguish.
Thus are the moments of life- of ours, of our loved ones, of rank strangers. As Christians, we have a duty to make the most of every opportunity. When we are made witness to key moments in others’ lives, we must be prepared to rejoice with the jubilant, or weep with the fearful. We have to come alongside them in the trenches of life and be aware of them enough to share the moment. Those key times are the best opportunities to witness to the goodness of God that we will ever experience. When people are raw from life’s hurts, the balm of words of sympathy, compassion and love are indescribable.
These moments. These are the ones that define us. These are the ones that define our testimony as followers of Christ. These are the times that allow us to use our hurts and celebrations as sanctified moments to minister life to someone else. This is where Christ receives the glory. Where we exchange our ashes for beauty. Do not miss this moment, this chance, to be God’s hand extended, His smile of recognition to the lonely, His touch of compassion when it seems we are alone in our pain. His mercy in someone’s mess.
Dear Lord, you have a record of all my days, already in Your book. You know the key moments that you have ordained for me. You know the instances where my life will intersect with others at pivotal moments. Help me to not miss a single chance to add hope, joy, peace or understanding to the life of one of your beloved children. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Awesome Word! My prayer is to be His hands extended. Often times we get too caught up in what is around us though that we miss our opportunity. Thanks for sharing sherri!
Laurie,
That’s preceisely my problem! I’m too goal oriented to see what important. Thanks, Laurie.
Amen Sherri. May we recognize the times that God places us in other people’s lives to encourage and comfort. Be His hands and feet this side of heaven.