Jack Kerouac said "Be in love with your life." Jesus (as in, The Christ) said "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25 NIV)
These two things seem to be diametrically opposed. If that were the case, I'd say go with Jesus on this one. However, I don't think they are opposed at all, or at least they don't *have to* be.
So, you may be asking, "Oh wise and aware CosmicDog, how can I both love and hate my life?" Well, let me tell ya.
This year, I entered into the first 'serious' relationship of my life. I am 36 years old, I am what you would call a "late bloomer". I met a woman, developed a great friendship and the two us clearly connected at very deep level, so we started dating. Our dating relationship was full of passion and humor, and we ended up getting engaged. Then things started to fall apart, we began to pull away from one another. Eventually we put the engagement on hold, and, after a while, broke up. All in about 8 months, 2 months as friends and 6 months as a couple. In this time period, I acheived the greatest "highs" in my life and the greatest "lows". This is as vital a snapshot of my life that I can think of.
How do I examine this in light of Jesus' words? I can choose to "love" this life I've been given, try to hold on or protect what I perceive as "mine". I can choose to allow the hurt I feel at the ending of this relationship to dominate my mind and "love" my life so much that I "hate" God or my ex-girlfriend for not meeting my expectations, for disappointing me in my 'oh so precious' life. Or I can choose to "hate" my life by holding the things that have been given me lightly. I can choose to understand that this is not end-all, be-all of existence, or why I was created in the first place, but to understand that my experiences, both good and bad, are in my life to shape me into the character of Christ that the Lord has already created and worked inside of me. I don't love my life on this earth so much that I am not looking forward to next one. Indeed, I am so anxious for Heaven, that, yes, you can say that I hate my life. But I don't, not really.
Here's where Kerouac comes in. "Be in love with your life." This life, all life, *life*, is a gift from God, for His Glory and our good. Every peak and valley is an opportunity to see the hand and care of God in my life. I have rich, amazing friendships. I've suffered devastating loss and heartache. Through it all, the Lord has been with me, teaching me, loving on me. I love this life the Lord has given me. I'm in love with the Creator and He loves me through His creation. It's good, the Lord in the beginning…and it still is.
So, be in love with your life. Don't take anything for granted. Feel and love deeply. Take the time explore the external and the internal. Meditate on life, the universe, and everything and give thanks to God for His goodness. But don't claim it as your own. Don't identify with this life so much that you forget that it belongs to God and not to you.
And I think that's all I have to say about that.
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