Breathe and Live (on Respect for Life)

by: Micah A. Tecne

​According to World Population Review, 1-2 people die every second. Death is defined as the act of dying, the end of Life, the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. Death is seen as something scary, sorrowful, and tragic. Some people suddenly die due to accidents or illness, or sadly, nowadays, some are self-inflicted due to depression. 
We face a lot of seasons in our lives, as the wisest king in our history reminds us that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die,” We are alarmed nowadays that suicide is becoming a norm. We hear people of all ages take their own lives because of a lot of problems. The different seasons of our lives can either make or break us depending on the foundation of our lives. Our foundation plays a significant role in how we view Life. As Miles Munroe said, “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.” Knowing that every season has a purpose for us keeps us going and living. It may be hard sometimes, but knowing this reality allows us to embrace Life and keep cherishing it.
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A psalmist once said, “Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” Life is a gift. It is something our Almighty God wants us to enjoy. Life may not always be that easy and happy, but appreciating the beauty of Life brings us to a deeper level of joy that no material thing could ever give us. When we recognize Life as a gift from God, we start appreciating every breath we take. We begin to respect and love our and others’ lives. We start to promote and protect Life in our thoughts, speech, and actions. 

To respect Life is to love the gift our Almighty Creator has given us. To enjoy every season of our lives, knowing that everything has a purpose. This hope will bring us to a stronger conviction of living our lives to the fullest. Breathe and live!