Focused on Giving Our Lives

Last updated on: September 12, 2013 at 4:27 am by Greg Richardson

Focused on Giving Our Lives 2013-09-12T04:27:30-08:00 Greg Richardson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When we say that someone gave their life for something, we usually mean a particular event.

We think of a person sacrificing themselves to support a specific principle, or help specific people. Countries send young people into combat knowing that they may be giving their lives for their country. Law enforcement officers and firefighters may give their lives to protect us, even though they have never met us.

When we talk about someone giving their life for someone or something, we are usually talking about how their life ended.

It is often not the way a life ends that best describes it. Focusing on the end of their life does not give their sacrifice the honor it deserves.

The lives that are given include much more than how they end, each moment of each day. They give all their experiences and emotions, their thoughts and secrets, their passions and wisdom, their abilities and desires.

The truth is that we are each giving our lives. Some of us give them in dramatic, public ways. Some give them in quieter, more mundane ways. Some of us go out in a blaze of glory while others die in their sleep. It is not always the end of life that reflects our sacrifice.

Some of us give our lives for our children, and their children. Some give lives seeking to make more money or become more comfortable. Some give lives to a quest for knowledge, or wisdom, or insight. Some give lives to create amazing art, elegant technology, or effective organizations that will live on after them.

Some of us have our lives taken from us.

Each of us decides how and why we give our lives every day.

What are you giving your life for today?

Who will inspire how you give your life today?

[Image by Fey Ilyas]

Blog

Spiritual Practices

Previous Post

September 10, 2013

Leadership is Taking Responsibility

Next Post

September 14, 2013 Deep Curiosity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog Book Reviews Everything Else Guest Posts Leadership Monastic Strategies Neighborhood Pilgrimages Sacred Stillness Spiritual Direction Spiritual Practices Work

Select a Month May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul tell the Thessalonians to do without ceasing?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Give thanks Study the word Rejoice Pray