One of my favorite teachers taught our class a lesson last week, and in some cases I think a few of us became inspired to live differently.
He showed us a video (link below) called “The Dash,” which brings to attention a crucial question in life: how will we live our years- the “dash” between the day we are born and the day we die?
Peter has advice regarding this question. In 1 Peter, he begins by exclaiming “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1:3, 4:1-2). There is little mystery in this: Peter urges us to live our lives for Christ.
Before we delve into the many ways in which to live for Christ, let’s look at how Christ lived his life. We have very few glimpses into his childhood, but we know he was a gentle and conscientious young Jew, who possessed exceptional knowledge of the Scriptures and always asked probing questions to Pharisees, teachers of the law, and common people alike. He taught people as he travelled, picking up twelve disciples and many followers, and healed every person he came into contact with. Then, as we celebrate this weekend, he shared the Last Supper before we was condemned, crucified, and resurrected.
Kind of a hard act to follow…
Although impossible for humans to imitate completely, Jesus’ use of his “dash” serves to compel us to live each day better than the one which preceded it. One of the challenges of this is that our time on earth is finite, and we do not know exactly how finite until it is too late. Peter comments on this as well, instructing us: “Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Thank you, Jesus, for using your dash in a way that saved us all.
How will you live your dash?
Link: "The Dash" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsY6UrFIsNs
