Why do you want to live long?

November 3, 2008 by Phanuel Muverengwi ·
Filed under: Inspire & motivate, Spirituality for such a time

A man lying on his deathbed says, “I wish God would give me more years.” Even people who are not Christians begin to talk about God the moment they realize that they are dying.

When people celebrate a colleague’s or relative’s birthday, they always say, “We wish you many more years to come.”

If someone asked you how long you would live if you had a choice you most probably would reply, “Forever.”

People generally want to live long. The aged want to live long. The young want to live long. People are generally agreed that it is better to live long than die early. They have managed to define WHAT they want.

I am clear about the WHAT. But I am worried because there seems to be a serious omission. The picture is not complete without the WHY. While people can define the WHAT, very few people have gone further to ask themselves WHY God should give them more years to live. This is regrettable. Life is not just about breathing, talking and walking! It’s more than that! In reality, breathing is not life; it’s just one element that could be rendered useless if the other elements are out of tune!

If you were dying today and you asked God to extend your life and God requested you to convince Him of the need to grant your request, what would you give as your justification? “Why should I extend your life? What do you plan to do with the extra mileage?” What would be your response?

I think that there are several people who have received extra mileage from God. Some people rise from their deathbeds to announce that God has talked to them and has given them a new lease of life. Unfortunately some of them go on to squander the extra years on useless living! That’s a pity. If you get an opportunity, you’ve got to make the maximum of it, says the word of God. Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV, says “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” That’s the point. It matters a lot what you do with your life!

I believe that there are people who have lived very short lives but die better people than those who lived for a century. Just stop to consider this: You want more years going forward, but what have you done with the years that you’ve already spent? Looking back would you conclude that you’ve used the years optimally or there was a lot of waste involved? Do you want more years to do more of the same thing?

Let me tell you what I think is a life worth celebrating: It is a life that always imparts a positive influence on the lives of others. It is a life devoted to service, serving others with a sincere heart. Exactly! I am quite convinced of this; I have no doubt at all that this is the way to go.

If you were to wholeheartedly say, “Please God, give me more years so that I will serve my folks,” I am sure that God would grant you the request.

I am discussing the attribute called selflessness. You need to live a selfless life. A selfless life is a life full of value; it is a life that shines over the lives of others. It is a life worth celebrating.

There are certain people that I hear being described as selfless and I have serious questions about their selflessness. Selflessness is a precious attribute, a noble attribute. Only reputable people could associate with this attribute. Selflessness is a position attained, not conferred. It is not like an honorary degree that is given to people without studying for it.

Jesus Christ is my role model. Oh how I love Him! When He walked the earth He demonstrated, through word and deed, what selflessness really means. I now give you just one verse to buttress my statement. Explaining the reason for His coming, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” [John 10:10, NIV]. I love this attitude. I love people with this attitude, selfless people.

Selfless people often talk about “them”. Selfless people often think about “them”. Selfless people often use words like “they”. They care about others. They are fully concerned about the welfare of others. They’ve devoted their lives to this cause. That’s why I find difficulties in accepting that some people in our society who are currently being described by certain people as selfless are really selfless.

Jesus did not come so that He might have life. He had life already! But He saw that the human race was perishing because they lacked life. So He came so that you and I might also have life. He went through difficult situations, but never gave up, and He did it for “them”, i.e. you and me. It is also important to note that selfless people want to see the best happening in other people’s lives. Jesus Christ did not just want us to have life; the Word of God says He wanted us to have it to the full. Praise God! Is that your attitude towards other people? I tell you that if you are jealous of others you cannot be a selfless person. A person full of jealous wishes bad things for others. A person full of hatred wishes bad things for others. So it would not be proper to describe people with these attributes as selfless people!

You need the Christ-type of spirit. You need to start talking the “them” and “they” language. You should denounce every attribute of selfishness that might still be tucked somewhere in your spirit. It’s time to change, and change starts with you. If you want to see a better society, you must be the starting point. First be better, before you can demand this of others. Are you not challenged?

You might be wondering what the driving force behind selflessness is. “What drives people into selflessness? What gives people the ability to be selfless? What causes them to have a sincere desire to be so?” All these questions could be whirling up within you right now. But the most fundamental question that you should be asking yourself is: “How could I attain this status? How could I be truly selfless?” Yes, that’s an important question. I want you to be thinking over the matter this week. Form your own opinion about it.

I also want you to try and answer this question: “What is the single attribute without which one cannot be selfless?” The answer should be just one small word. Think over it. I will make sure that I give you a follow-up article to this one. It’s important.

See you then and stay tuned!

Phanuel specialises in writing Christian motivational books. His first book - SUCCESS LACKS MEANING IF GOD IS NOT IN IT - is currently selling at Innov8, Christian Media Centre, Celebration Centre and Avondale bookshops.

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