Living the Life, We Were Born to Live
Remember the line by Mother Abbess to Maria in the epic movie “The Sound of Music” – “Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.” Such words of wisdom: “We must live the life we were born to live.”
In the grand scheme of things, we probably are living the lives we were born to live if we’re staying determined, positive, fear-less, strong, trusting God and being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Maybe you are one of those who studied, trained and acquired their degrees and professional licenses to serve as doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who are living those lives and are giving your gifts back to God and to us. Maybe you’re living the life you were born to live if you’re a truck driver, an essential service worker, or are in so many other businesses that are serving in tremendous ways to help those who need you so much.
Maybe you are a parent who is working from home and are facilitating home schooling while doing your work. You, too are living the life you were born to live – right in the middle of all of this – if you believe that you have been “called”.
I posted a great “Dad” video of the Senior Engineer of my son’s company last week. He spent time and energy, certainly beyond his business talents, to have all-out fun with his three children – using a simple water bottle and balls. His children were active participants in this “World of a Dad in Playland”. Right here in a time when he must work from home, this Dad found time to adventure with his children. And, quite frankly, I tend to think “THAT is the life he was born to live.” The life that is right here, right now, embracing the moments, making memories, creating family ties and bonds, and sharing it with the world – when the world needs to see something far greater than negative news reports and folks who are bemoaning their situation instead of “living the life they were destined to live.”
Yesterday, I was reminded of Who our Good Shepherd is in Psalm 23:1-7 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff – they comfort me……” We have definitely been through the valley of the shadow of death as we daily hear new death tolls, but at the same time, we’re also living on the mountaintop of healing as we watch the recoveries’ numbers go up! Praise God!
Bottom line – are we being willing, obedient sheep who are allowing our Lord, our Shepherd, to lead and guide us into these “pastures” in our homes or hospitals or services as His devoted followers? He must have something in mind for us. Our Shepherd always looks out for His sheep and has placed us in a state of dependence – right where sheep typically live. No wonder “I shall not want” were words King David used in penning that beautiful and poetic psalm. In trusting Him and His “lead”, we’ll be living the lives were born to live.