Kobe Bryant – One in a million…

One million people died this past week. One of them was Kobe Bryant.

 

When a celebrity dies we notice. We didn’t notice that the other one million died… Unless one of them was a relative or friend.

A celebrity has died too young and we notice. And we do need to notice. Because, when the world stops and notices that someone died a tragic death, it gives us each an opportunity to pause to reflect on our choices, and to remind ourselves what is really important in life, and in death.

And what is really important in life, and in death? Time with those you love.

Time with God.

Time with family and friends that you love.

It is all about love.

We waste so much time fighting for things that don’t matter. Money, position, power, titles, status, fame, fortune – to BE somebody. But we already ARE somebody! We are created in the image of God. Jesus came to save us from our sins and to reconcile us to God our Father. When we give our life to Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we are reconciled to God our Father. We are sons and daughters of the Most High, Only God, Creator of the universe. God loves you. And we are here on this planet to love God, love ourselves, and love others. We are here to love and be loved. Life is all about love.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of all those who died in that horrible helicopter crash. All who loved them are suffering. It is truly tragic. Seeing photos in the news of Kobe and his beautiful wife and daughters breaks my heart.

Kobe’s billions of dollars, many awards, outstanding basketball career, fame, and fortune didn’t mean anything to him when the helicopter crashed. And they certainly don’t matter to him now. What matters now is his relationship with God. Will he spend eternity with God or without God? I don’t know what choice he made. I know that through the years his sins and transgressions made their way into the news. The media also told us that he and his wife had relationship problems in the past. But it is more recently reported that Kobe has been a dedicated husband and father, was a practicing Catholic, and often wore a cross (as in the picture shown). I want to believe he made the right choice and he will spend eternity with God.

Choosing to love God, and give our life to Him – or not – is a choice that each of us must make while we are living. Do I choose to live with God – now and forever, or do I choose to live without God – now and forever? The choice is yours.

Will you be one of the one million who die next week? We never know. None of us know when our life will end. Life is short. Death is certain.

So, I implore you to get ready for both life and death now – by choosing love. Give your life to the God of love. If you haven’t already done so, give your heart to Jesus today – be filled with the Holy Spirit, and be reconciled to God our Father. God is love. And choosing God is choosing love.

Choose love today.

Love God. Love yourself. Love others.

Take time today to love and be loved. Because, someday, you will be one in a million. Just like Kobe.