Yes, I did. I just used an intensely pop culture reference as a blog post title. But there is some truth in that little phrase "You Only Live Once."
Today, I was reminded of the small impacts that people can have in other's lives. For me, there is a person that I don't get to speak to regularly, but he consistently brightens my day. Dave Stafford is our UPS driver at the factory. He brightens my day with a smile and wave like clockwork. We can't talk because he is behind the glass, but it is still encouraging. Granted, I am good friends with his son, and we see each other at church and I go to his house on occasion, so we do have a relationship outside of this daily greeting. Dave's role in my life is small, especially in regards to my job, but his impact in greater than he realizes.
I was contemplating the brevity of life today. This year, I have been to three unexpected funerals. Three lives that were ended before I deemed that they should've. These three men impacted many different people, based on their ages and spheres of influence. Less than two years ago, my 21-year-old cousin Thor was killed in a car accident. The list could go on. None of these people knew that their time here was up.
Allow me to meld these two ideas of Dave's UPS stops at the factory and untimely deaths. There are two things that you don't know:
1. The Impact you can have on people via the little things.
2. The Time you have to live on this planet.
This is my challenge to myself: live like it is the last day I have and show love to everyone. Ideally, it means sharing the Gospel with my actions and words. Am I always good at that? Not at all, but it's the goal.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:16-17
You Only Live Once (at least in this life).
