Saving Your Soul - Left-Overs

What would it profit a person to gain the whole world and in the process lose their own soul?  And if they did lose it, when they finally came to the end of their life and realized they had, what, of all that they had accumulated, would they give to buy back their soul. 

These were the sort of questions we asked ourselves Sunday and they reflect the kind of thinking that many people do as they approach the end of their lives.  Obviously, we would be better served to think about these matters before then, yet the fact remains that these concerns are unavoidably heightened as our mortality becomes clearer. 

The late author and humorist, Erma Bombeck, who passed away in 1996 at the age of 69, did a very eloquent job of making that point with an article she wrote on the heels of being diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Here is the article entitled "If I Had My Life To Live Over Again."

"If I had my life to live over, 

• I would have talked less and listened more. 
  
• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. 
  
• I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
• I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
• I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
• I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
• Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
• When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
• There would have been more "I love you's"... More "I'm sorrys" ...
• But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back."

I am sure that all of us one day will share Erma's sentiments to some degree.  With the exception of Jesus, the truth is, every person will face some measure of regret or second-guessing concerning their time spent on earth.  It is in no way my intention to encourage inordinate or paralyzing regret.  As a matter of fact I spend a good amount of time encouraging people to be merciful to themselves, to move forward past mistakes and not live constantly looking in the rearview mirror.

The fact remains, though, that we all could probably do better given a second-run at life.  Wouldn't it be nice if we had one life to learn with and then a whole other life to live with what we've learned.  While we don't have that luxury, we do have the ability to correct, to grow, and to take advantage of second chances.  As Christians we have the example of Jesus, the guidance of God's Spirit, the community of believers, etc. to help us maintain a healthy perspective; to help us save our souls. 

I pray this week that you are, as Christ said in last week's scripture text, ''seeing things from God's perspective'' as well as taking care of your soul - your true life.

Peace,
Stan