"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." -John 3:16
I really don't get it. I don't get the whole bucket-list thing. Who started this? Is it supposed to be fun? Or is it supposed to be serious? Maybe both? We're sort of indirectly talking about our own demise when we bring up the subject of having a bucket list, right? So what's the real purpose of having one in the first place? Is it the proverbial need of man to attach meaning to everything including our own existence? Or maybe we just need some kind of a sense of fulfillment that we've actually done some important things in life?
But I still don't get it. And yet I'm writing about it right now, right here. Talk about our incessant need to assign meaning to things and to comprehend just about everything. Maybe that's why I'm writing about it today so that somehow along the way I could understand it a little more.
As of today I don't have a bucket list but I do have dreams and aspirations for my future. Does that count? I do have plans of what I want to do and places to go once I'm not tied-up with work anymore and with whatever it is that makes me busy right now. Am I insane thinking this way? I guess we do all dream and plan for our future. Even a "couch potato" has certain plans made up in his head for tomorrow, I guess?
It's sort of gloomy to make a list of things that I have (or want) to do before I die. Maybe this is why I don't understand (or don't want to understand) the bucket list thing. I don't particularly like feeling gloomy or depressed. Maybe I don't want to be confronted with the blatant reality that yes there's indeed death somewhere in my future. Though I'm one of those people who think about man's mortality more often than the next person but I guess I haven't really, really quite stared at my own mortality straight in the eye. Why is that? Why is there an inherent fear in each person of death and dying? Why is dying such an off-limits and a sensitive topic for most people?
Before I've come to know and trust my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, death was one of my biggest and paralyzing fears in life. I was so afraid to die. The fear was lodged in my heart and brain that it had a tight grip on me. But after I've believed and trusted on what my Lord and Savior Jesus did on the cross to save me from spiritual death and eternal separation from Him, it's the first thing He took away from me, the dark fear of death. Now I know and I'm fully persuaded by God's truth in His Word that physical death is not the end of everything, it's only the beginning of a glorious eternity with God for those who believe in Him.
I may not have a bucket list right now but I might reconsider having one in the future. I'm not worried that I don't understand the purpose or meaning and the need of having a list but I just want to have fun! I'm not worried at all because my future after this earthly life is guaranteed and secure one hundred percent. Not because of anything I've done nor anything I will do, it's only because of my Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, praise the Lord indeed!
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." -1 Corinthians 15:54-58
I really don't get it. I don't get the whole bucket-list thing. Who started this? Is it supposed to be fun? Or is it supposed to be serious? Maybe both? We're sort of indirectly talking about our own demise when we bring up the subject of having a bucket list, right? So what's the real purpose of having one in the first place? Is it the proverbial need of man to attach meaning to everything including our own existence? Or maybe we just need some kind of a sense of fulfillment that we've actually done some important things in life?
But I still don't get it. And yet I'm writing about it right now, right here. Talk about our incessant need to assign meaning to things and to comprehend just about everything. Maybe that's why I'm writing about it today so that somehow along the way I could understand it a little more.
As of today I don't have a bucket list but I do have dreams and aspirations for my future. Does that count? I do have plans of what I want to do and places to go once I'm not tied-up with work anymore and with whatever it is that makes me busy right now. Am I insane thinking this way? I guess we do all dream and plan for our future. Even a "couch potato" has certain plans made up in his head for tomorrow, I guess?
It's sort of gloomy to make a list of things that I have (or want) to do before I die. Maybe this is why I don't understand (or don't want to understand) the bucket list thing. I don't particularly like feeling gloomy or depressed. Maybe I don't want to be confronted with the blatant reality that yes there's indeed death somewhere in my future. Though I'm one of those people who think about man's mortality more often than the next person but I guess I haven't really, really quite stared at my own mortality straight in the eye. Why is that? Why is there an inherent fear in each person of death and dying? Why is dying such an off-limits and a sensitive topic for most people?
Before I've come to know and trust my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, death was one of my biggest and paralyzing fears in life. I was so afraid to die. The fear was lodged in my heart and brain that it had a tight grip on me. But after I've believed and trusted on what my Lord and Savior Jesus did on the cross to save me from spiritual death and eternal separation from Him, it's the first thing He took away from me, the dark fear of death. Now I know and I'm fully persuaded by God's truth in His Word that physical death is not the end of everything, it's only the beginning of a glorious eternity with God for those who believe in Him.
I may not have a bucket list right now but I might reconsider having one in the future. I'm not worried that I don't understand the purpose or meaning and the need of having a list but I just want to have fun! I'm not worried at all because my future after this earthly life is guaranteed and secure one hundred percent. Not because of anything I've done nor anything I will do, it's only because of my Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, praise the Lord indeed!
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." -1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Hi Mara; I bought the film 'The Bucket List' with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson partially because it was really cheap in a local supermarket! We shouldn't fear what we have no real control over, but I think it is good to think about things we would like to do in life, even if some of them remain only pipe-dreams. We can always do nice things in life, I think we should even pray about such things.
ReplyDeleteI have a number of dreams in my life I want to fulfil and I expect you do too. Such dreams make the world go round after all.
Hi, Tim. Yes, I've watch that movie also. And it was silly and funny too! LOL I guess it's okay to be silly sometimes as long as it's wholesome fun. Life is too short as they say, so why not enjoy what we can, how much we can and however we can as long as we glorify God in all that we do, right?
DeleteThanks for the visit again my friend. God bless!
Bucket list and death. I haven't created one but I have goals.
ReplyDeleteHi, Peaches. Thanks for the follow... And I'm enjoying your blog too! What beautiful writing! =)
DeleteThanks, Denise. I've been praying for you... I hope you feel better now. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow too, Mara. I'm intrigued by your writing and this particular post.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Peaches! And I will take it as a compliment what you said about my writing. he-he! Thanks so much... I hope you will be blessed everytime you come to visit my blog. God bless! =)
DeleteI don't have a bucket list but I do know that the older I get and the closer I get to God (and death haha) the things I want to do has changed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I say Amen! to that Shanda! Thank you. Your visits and your comments are always appreciated. TC
DeleteI also don't have a bucket list, but I have plans (both short-term and long term). Thanks Mara for the inspiration.
ReplyDelete