A Kiss from Rose | If You Knew

IF YOU KNEW HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAD LEFT…

Would you still be spending today the way you are?

Here’s a question that might make us a little uncomfortable:

If God allowed you to see exactly how much time you had left, what would suddenly stop mattering?

Would you still spend hours worrying about something you cannot control?

Would you keep procrastinating on something you know you need to do?

Would you keep lollygagging through days you once prayed God would let you live long enough to see?

Would you still be mad about THAT?

Still replaying THAT conversation?

Still trying to prove your point to THAT person?

Still waiting for everybody’s approval before you finally gave yourself permission to LIVE?

We say, “I’ll do it later.”

Later, I’ll take the trip.

Later, I’ll start.

Later, I’ll call.

Later, I’ll forgive.

Later, I’ll wear it.

Later, I’ll celebrate.

Later, I’ll stop worrying about what everybody thinks.

Later, I’ll enjoy my life.

But here’s the problem:

None of us has been promised a “later.”

James 4:14 asks, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (KJV)

That Scripture isn’t telling us to live scared.

It’s reminding us to live AWAKE.

There is a difference.

God gave me this life, and I don’t want to spend so much of it worrying about tomorrow that I completely miss today.

I don’t want to keep postponing joy until everything is perfect.

Because when exactly is that supposed to happen?

When everybody acts right?

When every bill is paid?

When nobody gets on my nerves?

When every prayer has been answered exactly the way I requested?

Well, goodness. At that rate, we might be waiting awhile.

Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 reminds us that enjoying the good of our labor and receiving life’s good things are gifts from God.

So maybe enjoying my life isn’t something I should feel guilty about.

Maybe I should actually receive the gift.

Laugh loudly.

Love deeply.

Take the picture.

Use the good dishes.

Call somebody.

Rest without apologizing.

Go somewhere beautiful.

Say what needs to be said.

Stop postponing what God has been nudging me to do.

And for goodness’ sake, stop giving precious hours of my life to people and situations that don’t deserve five minutes.

Time is expensive.

Once I spend today, I cannot purchase it again.

So no, I’m not going to spend every moment afraid that life is running out.

I’m going to do something much better.

I’m going to remember that life is happening RIGHT NOW.

I will pray.

I will prepare.

I will be responsible.

I will plan for tomorrow.

But I will also laugh, love, celebrate, experience, explore, rest, create, give, forgive, grow, and enjoy the life God has given me.

Because one day, “later” really will be too late.

And when that day comes, I don’t want my greatest regret to be that I had a life—but kept waiting to live it.

So here’s the question:

If you knew your time was limited, what would you stop wasting it on TODAY?

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