Life is a Cliffhanger

I do not know what my future holds. Life is unpredictable, constantly changing, and always in motion. I do not know the end of my story in this life. I can imagine, hope, dream, fantasize; but I do not know how my story will unfold. No one knows the fate that is before them. The future is written by the choices made today.

There are certainties to come, events that will take place, for those who believe in God and His plan. Our lives, however, are left a mystery to us, and I believe it is for our own good and happiness. I believe people want to know that they will for sure have their "happily ever after." This causes us -- at least it causes me -- to be a bit restless sometimes, even anxious.

It has occurred to me that "happily ever after" is what happens while we are living life, one day at a time.

Happily ever after is not at the end of the story... it is the story.

The reality is, in the story of life, there is no ending. There is no final episode of life. There is no finish line. There is no final chapter. Wait, what about death? Is that not an ending? No, it is not. It is a change in location. Though our locations may change from here to the spirit world, by passing from the mortal to the immortal realm, we do not -- not even for a moment -- ever cease to exist. There is no end to existence; we just change locations, and continue on from one state of being to the next.

Forever.

Life is a cliffhanger.

It always has been.

It always will be.

I have been watching a show lately, and at the very end of each episode, some dramatic event happens, and then the episode is over. I am left hanging, until the next episode, and the next, and the next. My desire to know what happens next has driven me to watch multiple episodes in a row, with hopes in arriving to some closure and resolution. I am looking for an ending where all is well, and everything turns out right.

The more I watch, the more I see it is the concept of the cliffhanger that keeps me wanting more. It is the drama, the excitement, the unknown, the mystery, that occurs with the intertwining characters and events. I have looked ahead and I know that there is actually a final episode to the series. I can see how that would not have to be, it could just go on and on, with new events and characters, and storylines that could continue on forever. In the world of storybooks and TV land, endings do come for the characters that we follow. There is a final episode, and a "The End." But are we ever really satisfied when a story comes to an end? Not me.

Luckily, there is no end to the story of our lives.

Each day I wake up, and each night I go to sleep wondering what the next day will bring. Anything can happen, anything is possible. Some days are normal ho-hum days, and other days are full of big events and life-changing moments. Some days hold clear skies and smooth sailing, while other days are full of storms and torrential trials. But each and everyday is a mystery to me. I never know ahead of time what is going to happen. I can plan, I can prepare. Ultimately, the fate of the day is out of my hands. I might have stewardship over a few things in my life, but I do not have control over any of it. I can make choices, but I do not choose the consequences to my actions.

I am not in charge: God is.

God has given us forever... how amazing is that? 

As I consider the concept of living forever, I find I have a choice. This life, it is always going to be a cliffhanger. Even after we die, life will continue progressing, and continue changing, without end. I can choose to live my life in a state of frenzy; desiring to know of events before they unfold, and wanting to know of an ending that will never come.

Or, I can choose to live my life happily ever after... after the manner of happiness, allowing God to guide my path now and forever.

One day at a time.