To Be, or Not to Be Living

One person with commitment accomplishes more than a thousand with an opinion. ~Orrin Woodward

 Shakespeare's Hamlet speaks these words, "To be or not to be."  Hamlet is trying to decide whether to live or die. A big choice. Ever stop to think how many "be" decisions we make every day?

Peter wrote, 

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
     and see the day fill up with good,
Here’s what you do:
     Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
     run after peace for all you’re worth (1 Peter 3:10-11).

It is these "be's"-- agreeable, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble -- where I answer the question, "To be or not to be?"  For when I go through life with a chip on my shoulder, sarcasm on my lips, or a get-even spirit in my heart, I'm not living -- not "be-ing."  

I don't want to go through the motions of living. I want my heart fully and intentionally engaged. I want my shoulders free for a friend to cry on, my lips full of praise for God and my mind ready to encourage each person I come in contact with. 

My day's cup is turned upright, and I'm going to fill it up with good.  My favorite verse for living intentionally is Ephesians 5:10, Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. The next verse in Psalm 10 clearly tells us: 

Here’s what you do:
     Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
     Run after peace for all you’re worth.

I'm committed. I'm ready to fill my cup. My lips are ready to speak shelter. If you see someone sprinting across your lawn, know that it is me -- running after peace for all I'm worth. I'm diligently seeking wisdom to know what will please Christ.  

I'm just simply Pamela, but this woman is embracing life with intention. I'm letting the "be's" swarm around my heart. There's a smile on my face because I find joy in this intentional living -- this living of the good.

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