Our StoryNever in modern-day history have we had the opportunity to evaluate our way of life as we have in the past few weeks with the impact and mandatory directives coming with the world pandemic!
And the question we have all had to seriously grapple with is; “What matters most in life?”
It is so insightful as the question truly reveals how we identify with our values, behaviors, habits and even addictions we may not have even realized. I have many friends who love sports. Some have come to find out it’s more than loving sports, they are addicted to sports! The loss of current sporting events has rocked their world!
Just sixty days ago our political views divided and separated us from the very essence of what matters most. We divided, argued, debated, resented and yes some angrily caused physical and emotional damage to one another because of different views!
But something is beginning to happen in this shocking and most challenging time. Our difference of opinions, beliefs, and positions is becoming secondary to a cause of something bigger than ourselves and is actually allowing us to reconsider living for what matters most!
We hear it repeatedly; what matters most is our health, safety and the care for all, especially for those most vulnerable. We have even put our economy second to this priority. Prior to the Coronavirus, I repeatedly have seen those aged and vulnerable disregarded and disrespected. Only, the answer to the question of; “Are you living for what matters most?” could lead us to these extreme measures we are seeing today. Our governments in both the USA and Canada are shutting down what most everyone considered to be what mattered most in their lives; their jobs, sports, dining, drinking, events, travel and many other aspects of our way of life.
My point here is not to determine, debate or question the why, what or how of these mandates, but to raise the question to each of us; can we learn and better identify living for what matters most? This could potentially be the greatest pivot point in modern-day history for; “living for what matters most!”
Prior to “stay at home” government mandates, we were too busy for family time. Not enough time to bring the family together for family meals. Too tired to spend quality time with family members from the hectic lifestyle we have chosen! No time to pray together, to play together and just be together!
If there was ever a time to evaluate what matters most in our lives, it is today. And it’s not a debate of right or wrong, it is the reconsideration of priorities to what matters most in life.
In the scriptures of 1 Corinthians 13 it says; “Though I have faith so I could remove mountains, though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, but have not love, it profits me nothing. And now abide, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.”
It is my prayer and hope that during this time of isolation, stay at home, and social distancing, it is spent in a time of reflection and decision making of living for what matters most. We have three pathways of choice; to be indifferent, to restore indulgence, or to seek the influence of living for what matters most in life!
Hearing the same thing Michael, whether we call it a pause, reset or forced Sabbath, we have the opportunity to reflect and then pursue what matters. For me, it’s relationships both vertical and horizontal!