We live in a “Guarantee” society. When we purchase big ticket items, they often come with guarantees. If we become unsatisfied or if the product breaks, the company will take care of it. They’ve got us covered, and this gives us a sense of security.
For most of the “big ticket items” related to our American life we can purchase insurance, which is also a type of guarantee. We can get car insurance, boat insurance, renters or homeowners insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and of course life insurance. We can even get our money federally insured, so if someone would steal it out of a bank, the government will replace it.
Having insurance gives us security that even in a worse case scenario, things will be taken care of. We’ve got ourselves protected; all the bases are covered; we think we’re safe, but in a sense we’ve only surrounded ourselves with bubble wrap.
We develop this false sense of security and safety. We insulate ourselves and try to remove ourselves from anything that might cause us to worry, because we want to be able to relax and enjoy life. But in the process we forget how truly short life is, and we become distracted and don’t prioritize the really important things in life.
No one knows how long they have on this earth. While we think that we will be here for a long time, there is no guarantee that we will be here a week from now, or even ten minutes from now. Research has shown that 10 out of 10 people die… it’s only a matter of time.
So why do we live as if we have forever? Why do we waste our days away in trivial pursuits? To quote Annie Dillard: “How we live our days … is how we live our lives.” Why do we keep putting off the most important things when this life is but a breath?
Do you realize that you could die today… that it’s honestly a real possibility? Are you ready if your time is now? Are you ready to stop playing games with God? Are you ready to start living?
