Have you heard of Ed Whitlock?  Unless you participate in the world of running, you have probably not.  At 83, Whitlock is amassing an amazing record of performances.  At the age of 81, he ran a 3:30 marathon; at 73, he ran a 2:54 marathon.  A year before he ran the 3:30 marathon, he maintained a 6:55 per mile pace to win the Canadian Masters Championship in the 5K. 

     We can be rightly impressed and awed by Whitlock’s achievements.  He is having a great time!  And perhaps that is the important thing.  At an age when most people are consciously, whether by choice or circumstance, slowing down, Whitlock is speeding up—in a big way—enjoying each day.

     We of course do not need to match Whitlock's achievements to appreciate and enjoy each day.  But we can appreciate the picture he presents of the tremendous potential of existence.  Though existence is finite, it is nearly endlessly malleable.  And though existence will one day end, it can bequeath astonishing things until that day.  It’s all a grand balance, really, remembering our finitude (presented so clearly in Psalm 39) while appreciating our eternity, our ever present drive to find the absolute fullness of our very limited time (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).  Teleological beings that we are, we are driven to be.  Although we are limited, we are purposeful and free.

     This is precisely what God said to Adam and Eve (look at Genesis 2).  Here you are, he said, and here is your world.  You’re here for a reason, you’re here to be.  Give it your best.  As should we:  live for today, consider tomorrow, and believe in eternity.