Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.
Seneca

Death seems to come too soon. Seneca wrote On the Shortness of Life (De Brevitate Vitae) to encourage us to use our time wisely. This is accomplished by living in the present, pursuing purposeful goals, and not wasting our time. The value of time is especially precious as we face death. Last evening I met with two families who have loved ones on life support thanks to the wonders of medical technology. Seneca reminded us, “Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested. But when it is squandered in luxury and carelessness, when it is devoted to no good end, forced at last by the ultimate necessity we perceive that it has passed away before we were aware that it was passing.”

Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means “remember that you are mortal.” When successful generals would return from a conquest there was a magnificent ceremony held in honor of their victories. This procession was the pinnacle of their career. It was such a glorious ceremony that the general might start considering himself superior to everyone else. The Romans came up with an idea to keep one’s ego in check. As the general would ride in a chariot amidst a cheering crowd, a slave sitting behind him would whisper in his ear memento mori to remind him that all of the fame was temporary and that he too would die.

May we live every day as a precious gift from God knowing that there is an appointed time for our death. The Apostle Paul gave us helpful perspective:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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