It has been a while since I have blogged so here I go. I couple of months ago I had the chance to go and see the Lion King as a theatrical play in Toronto with my sons. The costumes and sets were really the best part of show. The music and the singing were pretty good but let’s just say it was more pleasing to the eyes than to the ears. Of course the play like the movie opens and closes with the song The Circle of Life. The opening and closing scenes are the same – with a father lion presenting his cub son to the pride as a symbol of new life. I must admit I did this to each of my sons just after they were born. I sing the song and raise them in air. I’m not sure you can picture this but I laugh every time as each time I raise them in the air and start singing I get a role of eyes from my beautiful wife and a confusing stare from my newly born son.
This past month, I have been exposed to both death and life which has brought this whole train of thought about. Lion King aside there is so much emotion involved in the beginnings and ends of life.
There is so much to reflect on and think about in these moments. There is one common thread between to two events that has caused me to stop and think. Life is a miracle. This life we have been given is not an accident or coincidence…but a gift. There is nothing we did or our parents did that somehow won us enough points to be breathing right now. Every day, every hour, every breath is God’s amazing gift to us. Life begins for us at birth but honestly never ends. My life, your life will last forever. That is the miracle of creation.
The Bible tells us that what we do with this life here on earth will determine what our lives will be like for the rest of eternity in heaven or hell. Some might say that’s not fair. Why should I be judged this way. That seems so harsh. I always find it comical when one of my boys says that to me when I make a decision that is best for him like going to bed. “But that’s not fair” they exclaim. They have judged based on their thinking as a small child that my decision as their loving parent who would do anything for them is unfair. The child has no idea how good they have it, how much of their life is provided for them so that they can succeed. Fairness only counts when we deserve or have earned what is coming to us. None of us deserve or have earned life. You are breathing right now because God made it so. It sounds fair to me.
There is a circle to life. The circle represents a starting point but no ending. The circle is God’s love for us the moment our lives began and that love will never end. Make the most of God’s gift of life to you. It goes best when we trust God to lead us.
I’m totally going to do the Lion King thing with my youngest when I get home. I don’t care if no one else thinks it is cool because I definitely do. Peace.
P Shane