Remember to Live

“Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:18b-20

It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by the daily demands of life and the numerous events unfolding throughout our world. Many things are asked of us each day as we juggle commitments at work, with family, and everything in between. Many times after putting my daughter to sleep, I sit down on the couch and ask myself where the day went. It all goes so fast. I sometimes joke with people that I feel like my job is to be the associate rector for answering emails, and I have to remind myself that busyness is not a sign of holiness. There is more to life than our checklist of tasks.

Something that has helped me stay grounded and cultivate an attitude of gratitude is the Latin phrase, “Memento Mori. Memento Vivere,” which means, “Remember that you will die. Remember to live.” It may seem a little morbid, but it reminds me that I am a mortal creature. I am not the center of the universe. I am dust and to dust I shall return, and the tasks that I do – as important as they may be – are rarely worth stressing over as much as I do. I will go the way of every tree, flower, and family member before me. I will one day die.

Because of that fact, I must remember to live. This life is a gift, as tough as it sometimes is, it is all a gift. Nothing is owed to me, and so I must rise each day ready to embrace whatever comes my way, seeking God to guide me through it all.

We should wake up each day with the understanding of the fragility of life, take a deep breath, and be thankful for yet another opportunity to live. We are not ultimate, but our God is. This phrase is like looking at the night sky and realizing just how small and insignificant we are, but then to look around and see the meaningful life that we have in the here and now.

We must be grateful in all things, and never forget that although we will die, we must never forget to live.

Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash