If the World Ended Tomorrow

May 17, 2016

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If the world ended tomorrow, what would I look back and wish for? What would I deeply regret? What would I realize was truly important? What would I wish I could relive again and again?

If the world ended tomorrow, I surely wouldn't wish for more moments spent staring down at a screen, scrolling endlessly, browsing aimlessly. I wouldn't wish for more nights spent in bed alone binging Netflix, or more wasted afternoons with HGTV.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would be deeply grateful for the times I said yes to the last-minute plans--that time I was sleepy but bundled up to go stargazing on a park hill at midnight instead, that time, that time I was going to read but met a friend for dinner instead, that time I drove to see my grandparents even though it had already been a busy weekend.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would remember the friends who loved well, the ones who paid attention to the details, the ones who spoke real, honest truth into my life, the ones who were by my side for both the highs and the lows, the ones who stuck around long enough to get to know the real, unguarded me.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would regret the mornings I snoozed my alarm and rushed to get ready, sacrificing time with my Bible and in prayer. I would wish I had prioritized Him better instead of selfishly choosing to ignore His will for me.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would wish I had given more freely, laughed more freely, danced more freely, shared more freely, lived more freely.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would remember the places seen, the cities explored, the countries traversed, but I would cherish even more so the memories with loved ones-- the speedboat ride on Lake Tahoe with my family that made me so nervous I never stopped giggling, the elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower with my grandparents by my side, the double decker bus rides across London with fellow students surrounding me, the spring training games with my best friends under the hot Arizona sun, the weekends around tables with relatives and endless dishes of food and glasses of wine.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would wish I served Him better, devote my life to Him more completely, shared His gospel more willingly, forgiven others more readily, worshipped Him more eagerly.

If the world ended tomorrow, what would you celebrate? What would you regret? What would you wish had gone differently, been better, made more of a difference?

Why don't we live today like it's our last, as cliche as that might sound, so that if the world does indeed end tomorrow, we'll be ready when it comes?