Before he was a writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky was arrested by the czar of Russia and sentenced to death by firing squad.
Leading up to the day of his execution, Dostoevsky became acutely aware of the gift of life. He savoured every moment, every meal, every memory. He knew he had only so long to enjoy life on earth.
On the appointed day he was blindfolded and taken before the firing squad. In a moment of terror, the guns went off.
But he didn’t die!
After his blindfold was removed, he learned that the bullets were blanks. It had been a cruel psychological trick, a kind of torture.
From that day forward, Dostoevsky was a new man. He was even more thankful for normal things like the warm sun, and more gracious toward others. His senses had been heightened, and he carried that passion and attention to detail into his writing.
He also carried a deep gratitude and appreciation for being fully alive—for his second lease on life.
It sounds like 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT):That “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
If you belong to Christ, things are now different—you’ve got new eyes, new ears, and a new voice to speak hope to the people around you.
If you belong to Christ, you are unceasingly thankful because even though you deserve the worst, God gives you his best.
If you belong to Christ, you’ve got a new lease on life, and are summoned to live it out in a way that brings heaven closer to earth.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Be awake. Be thankful. Be a blessing.
You’ve already come out the other side of death. So live today like you’re fully alive.
By Matthew Ruttan
- My latest blog is called “How to not be a Jerk.” I think the title speaks for itself, mostly! Read on to steer away from Jerkville and find out what true friends are for.
- “Up!” is published 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and returns on November 28th.
