Opinion
CRASH!
By Dr jalarth Uche Opara
Few days ago, the news of the crash of a NAF aircraft was devastating.Twenty- five lives gone in a twinkle. Nothing of their remains found in one piece, dismembered, shattered, beyond recognition.
They all set out that fateful morning with smiles, hopes and aspirations, with the strong assurance that they would return to the warm embrace of their loved ones. Sadly, they never did.
One single crash crashed so many things.The crash of an aircraft became the crash of lives, the crash of destinies, the crash of aspirations, the crash of promises, and the crash of beautiful moments yet to be lived.
In a twinkle, lives disappeared, and everything that was once beautiful and adorable became rubble.
Surprisingly, it would not deter people from flying, even those still sulking and directly affected by this recent crash would still fly regardless. It would not stop other aircraft from taking to the skies. Nothing so devastating would stop life in its tracks.
Life goes on, regardless.
We live in a world of uncertainties, a place where nothing is cast in stone, where imperfection is the rule, not the exception.
Nothing is risk-free.
Risk is woven into the fabric of life.
The fact that we survive the risks and challenges of life is not always a function of our dexterity, carefulness or righteousness. Sometimes, it is simply mercy. It is grace.
This is why life should be lived through the lens of one day at a time.
Planning is good. Projection is wise. Preparation is necessary. But being intentional about the now is equally important. Every dawn comes carrying possibilities and uncertainties, opportunities, disappointments, victories, disasters, luck and fate. They all fly around, looking for heads to rest upon.
Our prayer may be, “Not on my head.”
But how effective that prayer becomes is ultimately dependent on the favour and mercy of God.
One day at a time.
Live light.Do not become so encumbered by the cobwebs of ephemerals that you forget the fragility of existence.
Death is not a distant possibility; it is a daily reality. Life crashes happen every day. Some are loud and catastrophic. Others happen quietly, in marriages, relationships, careers, businesses, dreams and the human spirit.
Yet, however catastrophic the crash, it does not permanently stagnate life.
Life goes on.
Life goes on after pain.
Life goes on after disappointment.
Life goes on after heartbreak.
Life goes on after failure. Life goes on after loss. And because life is so fragile, perhaps we should learn to carry it more lightly.
Each dawn comes with its own load of possible crashes. Some will happen before dusk. Some will not. Where they will happen, and upon whom they will rest, only God knows.
So, live light. Live right. Live love. Live each day without carrying unnecessary weights of lies, hatred, greed, insatiability, indignation, bitterness, corruption and sin.
Because when the crash eventually comes we should not discover that we spent our lives carrying things that were never worth the weight. Life is uncertain. Death is certain. Grace is a gift.
And today is all we truly hold.
Love more.
Forgive more.
Give more.
Appreciate more.
Pray more.
Live more intentionally.
Because life can crash without warning.
And when it does, may we not discover that we spent our brief journey carrying weights that never mattered.
Live light.
Live right.
Live love.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Today is.
Jarlath Uche Opara
# jarlathuche@gmail.com