September 28, 2005

terminal.

mortality.

it's isn't really a bad thing, in some instances, I daresay. mortality serves to remind us of our human selves, destructible, corruptible, vulnerable. and as much as one may be successful and at the pinnacle of his life, he is but susceptible to mortality. he is but like any one of us.

the many paths in life diverge and wind around countless mountains and valleys, giving each and every one of us a unique and individual experience. very often, we are the result of our experiences, and that also is the basis for the gamut of human character. yet, even as all paths diverge, they all end up at one place. and that is where the end beckons, and mortality triumphs. or does it?

I learnt about Mark's cousin's passing the other day, and the first thing I thought to myself, "Was he a believer?". also, "How did he lead his life? Fulfillingly?" now, isn't that what's most important? it is. I've come to realise that it's not about what you haven't done, but what you have. we've all heard the stories about how death claims a person, and he/she refuses to pass on, because "there are so many things I [the person] haven't done." interesting, I would say, because the things you haven't done are very possibly the same things you wouldn't do should you have another ten years. it probably is because of your own mortality, that you are suddenly hit with the realisation that you are going to be taken away from the things that you apparently treasure, and find out that you've been foolishly searching for the wrong things all these while.

one thing beautiful about Jesus: He came to the world as a mortal man, showing how one can love and be loved with the short time he has. 33 years isn't a long time. many of you will pass that age hale and hearty. but to live with the understanding of contentment and personal victory is another thing.

mortality isn't the deciding factor. it isn't factor. but your character; who you are and what you do, counts for eternity.

maybe, just maybe, you never really needed more. you've had everything you need. but perhaps you never stopped to look.

--gid.