In the past couple of weeks I’ve learned about, from friends or relatives, a 6 year old, a 16 year old, and a 34 year old, all from different families, who all died suddenly. Life is precious. There are no guarantees. Life is fragile.

Offering condolences, encouragement and prayers to families sorrowing is often all we can do. Yes, there is that great day coming when death itself will be abolished. But until that day arrives, the stark reality of our frailty is sometimes very obvious.

I was talking to a friend of mine recently. I don’t remember the book or author he said he was reading, but he told me the book was all about living life. I told him it reminded me of what Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes.

Solomon, very bluntly I might add, points out that there is one event coming for everyone. Whether you’re a righteous person or an evil person, there’s one place we all end up: the grave!

Yes, that is indeed rather blunt. But, as he continues, the point of the passage is to live your life today to the fullest you are able! The life you have today is your life right now, so live it with all your being. Enjoy what you have right now, rather than waiting for things to get better.

That doesn’t mean just settle for the way things are and never expect for your life to improve. Of course we have goals and dreams. But the point is, we all have life today, with no guarantees, so live your life today to the fullest you are able!

In that passage, Solomon reminds us we will do or know nothing in the grave. No work. No knowledge. Nothing. Live your life today to the fullest you are able!

The old phrase “life is short” is really quite true. And while we are alive, we still determine our own attitude. Following Solomon’s wisdom, life really is too short to choose a lousy attitude, because that’s not going to help me to enjoy my life.

Yes, things come into our lives that are painful and difficult. In those times we seek our God for His help, strength and comfort. We get energized, and then, we must move forward.

The Apostle Paul talked about forgetting the things that are behind and reaching forward to things ahead, keeping his eye on the prize. At the end of his life, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

In difficult, painful, and hurtful situations, reach out to God. He is the God of all comfort and He promises to comfort us. Allow Him, and others who love you, help you to get back on your feet living your life to the fullest you are able.

Because, life really is precious. There are no guarantees. Life is fragile, very fragile.