If today was your last day...

Disclaimer: There is zero fault in the liking of the movies mentioned. They were used simply as reference in the making of this blog post:)

     Have you seen the movie with Queen Latifah Last Holiday or the ever famous Armageddon? Both of these movies have a character in common... Both the Queen and the crazy astronaut "Rockhound" found themselves in their last days and had choices to make.

Queen Latifah's character was a dependable, hard working, all around "good person" that received some devastating  news about her health. She quit her job and cashed in all her retirement saving bonds, deciding to live her last days "becoming somebody". Though it was fun for a moment, she was still alone, experiencing temporary happiness and...left feeling un-fulfilled. Since she included Jesus in her journey, talking to Him throughout each new experience and giving her hopes and dreams to Him, He was faithful to hear the desires of her heart and ultimately walk her through the trial all the while bringing glory to Himself. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  

The astronaut risked everything planning not to return from his space mission and took a ridiculous loan living up his last moments on earth in Vegas as a "somebody" in status and importance from the world's standards.  Again, finding temporary happiness upon his impending fate. Though, once the fun was over and he was left to himself, he ultimately...went crazy and was tortured by his thoughts. You see Rockhound did not include Jesus and looked at his situation from a worldly perspective. He saw the situation for exactly what it was and what he could do in his own strength. Ultimately witnessing the sacrifice of others and having to return and face the consequences of his choices.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

   I've prepared to be your movie critic and shed some light on the root of where they each went wrong...

     Now, as a christian we are called to live in only today. For tomorrow will worry about itself and yesterday is already gone. William W. Purkey said it like this:

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, 

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” 

    
     Tim McGraw sang it like this:

I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'.

       The point of these is that each day we wake up in the morning is a gift. Slow down and re-prioritize on a regular basis. Take the time to turn bath time into play time, plan and save for that vacation you want to take, call that friend that crosses your mind, choose to close your eyes at the end of each day being unburdened by the days events and the should of, could of, would of's. For we are here but only a moment... 

     The world around us thrusts us in to fast forward and we can easily lose sight of  what is required of us to not be so self-focused that we miss those divine appointments made by Him to reach outward and walk those in our sphere of influence into the realm of eternity. In the Last Holiday she was waiting for the perfect time to become somebody not seeing that she was strategically placed right where God wanted her and she had a ministry in the daily tasks of her life.  In Armageddon, Rockhound was tortured by his thoughts and awaiting his opportunity to get away from the choices made in a life of regret. 

     If somebody were to be watching the movie of your life, which movie would it more closely mimic in these mentioned? It's never too late to change your script and even your characters before the ending credits. 

~Jennifer