The Long View Of Life

Those with short-sighted perspective miss the depth and adventure of life truly lived. I listen to a lot of talk radio while driving. The talk was about raising your children. As I listened I thought to myself that the remedy to key struggles was recognizing that death is coming. A symbolic death and a real death. At eighteen my daughter will be on her own. At some point, hopefully later than that, I will no longer be around. That perspective helps to raise my daughter to grow into an adult that will have to make decisions about her own life. Contrast that to raising her as if I will be here tomorrow. The short-sighted perspective or the long view.

The perspective we face life with will color all our decisions. Knowing that death looms you will take those vacations with your family. Knowing that death looms you will give all you have to give at work. Going deep in relationships is urgent. Leaving a legacy is important with death on the horizon. Thinking you are Methuselah gives you excuse to put off things til tomorrow.

The lens we use to view the world matters in both micro and macro management. Netanyahu is forced to make decisions regarding his neighbors when they threaten the longevity of the nation. Thinking that time is on your side (a la Methuselah) you can tarry in your decision. Knowing that come summer you will be forcefully blasted to smithereens incites action.

Death on the doorstep means your Judge waits at the door. As Bilbo and Frodo both learned an unexpected journey makes for quick and serious preparation. Thinking Mount Doom is forever far away opens you up to plunder.

The short-sighted man risks a useless and wasted life. Life with a long view results in action and life that “yields its fruit in its season.”

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you…”---2 Peter Chapter 1