Six Months to Live

I read a reflection by a Christian brother on the question of “If you only had six months to live, how would you spend your time?” This may just be a hypothetical question where one may find no conclusive answers. But one’s answer may well reflect what is of great importance and value to one’s life. The real truth of the matter is that we do not know how long we will live. We can desire to live long and happy lives but even this is not in our control. The only thing for certain is that there is a time limit that only God knows.

This brother remembers sharing with a dear sister this question before they bade farewell. She took this question to heart. Two or three months later, after this conversation, the doctor actually told her that she had six months to live! The morning before she went home to glory, she called this brother and talked with him one last time, to enjoy a moment of fellowship on earth. This brother then realized the preciousness and significance of not just six months but each day of life given.

What would you do, if you had six months to live? Who will you spend your time with? Where will you spend it? What will you do during that time? This is not a death wish. But if one dares to ask honestly it would help us to clarify our calling from God and the purpose of our life – why we were born and why we were given life.

David the psalmist had this to say, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.” (Ps. 39:4 - NIV)

Our 'life's end' may just be six months or more. But may our reflection help us sharpen our life focus so that it is lived out with greater urgency and purposefulness with each day that is given.  

Pr. Ben