don’t waste your life on a 30% chance

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Don’t Waste Your Life On a 30% Chance

Through the years, our family enjoyed many vacations at the beach.   It was a wonderful experience.  Warm sand, blue skies, and turquoise water are hard to beat. The sound of the surf is mesmerizing, and I love to watch pelicans take to the air. In short, we love the beach. 

However, there is a phenomenon we sometimes experienced before and during vacations.  We always watched the upcoming weather forecast in preparation for our journey. If we saw icons of showers and lightning on the forecast, we were a bit downcast. Immediately we started thinking about what we would do when it rained. We hoped the weather forecasters were missing something, but their prognostications began setting a tone for our trip. 

I remember one year in particular.  We were on the Gulf-side of Florida, staying in a condo right on the beach. Because of the weather forecast, each day we looked to the sky, waiting for clouds to appear.  We debated about shutting the windows on the lanai because "It’s probably going to rain tonight."  We thought about alternatives to tomorrow’s fun in the sun. 

About mid-week, I watched another weather report, and I noticed something I had missed all week. The actual report below the pictures of lightning stated a 30% chance of thunderstorms. What, only 30%!  We had been living under the clouds of 30%.  A 30% chance of rain was affecting our attitude about 70% of our vacation

“In these uncertain times . . .” I hear this phrase over and over again. May I ask you something? Exactly when are times certain?  Two years ago, my wife, daughter, and I attended the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas concert, a delightful tradition for us. We were sure of a great evening. Then, as the show started, the medical center called and told us Gail had pancreatic cancer.  So much for certainty. Last spring, I was planning a trip to Europe for three weeks.  I knew the trip would be fantastic.  So much for assurance. Some of you reading this article were confident that you would retire from what is now your “former” job.  So much for certainty.

Folks, let me remind you. In life, there is no certainty, save one.  Time marches on and cannot be reclaimed. And no matter what your endeavor, there will always a 10%, 20%, 30% chance of rain. If you live your life according to the 30% chance, you will miss the 70% of the time when it’s not raining. 70% of life will pass you by. 

About mid-week at the beach, I stopped watching the weather reports. In fact, we were at the beach six days before it finally rained. 

So, I think I’ll choose to live this forecast.  This week there is a 70% chance of beautiful sunshine, warm temperatures, and outstanding opportunities to live life to the full. 

If you’re a person of faith, Jesus stated it something like this.  "I’ve come that you might have life and that you might enjoy your years on earth to their fullest extent. There’s a 100% chance of good life in Me."

I like His forecast. Are you living parts of your life under the clouds of a 30% chance? If so, you’re missing a lot of fulfilling life. And even if the 30% happens, you’ll find a way to make good experiences from it.