Dear Grandkids,
Defining moments would be defined as those moments in time that give shape to a person, or country, or group, etc.
You will experience many defining moments in your life. History will one day tell us if our country is in the middle of a defining moment right now as we deal with the declared national emergency known as COVID-19 or the Corona Virus. I am writing this on a Sunday morning instead of being at church because our governor has mandated that groups of 100+ should not gather. The term “social distancing” is new to us in 2020 but may be commonplace in your lifetime. We shall see.
In my lifetime I have lived through quite a few defining moments for our country:
- The assassination of JFK
- The 1964 Civil Rights Act
- The assassination of Martin Luther King
- The first moon landing
- The 1969 New York Mets World Championship
- Watergate
- Vietnam
- The fall of the Berlin Wall
- September 11, 2001
- 2008 economic recession
- The election of Donald Trump as president in 2016
No doubt others could be added and these could be debated (certainly the 5th one but as a Mets fan I had to stick it on the list) but they are certainly significant “moments” that dramatically shaped our country.
About 10 years ago (in 2010) I wrote a series of blog posts that talked about defining moments in my life. You can read them as you have interest and time:
- Defining Moments in My Life Part 1
- Defining Moments in My Life Part 2
- Defining Moments in My Life Part 3
- Defining Moments in My Life Part 4
Here’s the thing about defining moments. Certainly there are moments that can and will shape the future and trajectory of your life. But they cannot and should not define who you are. Your life should be defined primarily by what the Lord says about you. Here are a few verses from Scripture to ponder often and deeply – especially when the world around you is going crazy and trying to shape you into it’s mold…
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:1-2)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Never forget that you are very loved!
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