May 9
Life
Worth Living
“None of us lives for ourselves alone. And none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord. And if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
Romans 14:7-8, NIrV
Ricky stood at the edge of the cliff, the sound of waves crashing below muffled by the storm inside his head. His hands trembled as he gripped the railing that separated him from the void. The cool wind swept his tears away, but the ache in his chest remained.
Everything had unraveled so quickly. A failed business venture had drained his savings. Friends had stopped calling, and the whispers at family gatherings about his “bad decisions” had become unbearable. He felt like a burden, a disappointment, a man with nothing left to give.
“Why am I even here?” he whispered to the empty sky. The thought of ending his pain seemed like the only escape.
As Ricky stared down at the swirling waters below, a distant sound broke through his despair. It was the laughter of children playing in a nearby park. He turned slightly and saw a boy chasing a kite, his father cheering him on.
Something stirred in Ricky’s heart. He remembered how his late mother would pray over him, reminding him that he was made for a purpose, even if he couldn’t see it yet. He closed his eyes, the words she often spoke echoing in his mind: “Ricky, you belong to God. He holds your life in His hands.”
With a deep breath, Ricky stepped back from the edge and sat on a nearby bench. For the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to pray.
“God, I don’t know what to do. I feel lost, broken, and useless. But if You really have a purpose for me, show me. I need You.”
In that moment, a calmness washed over him. It wasn’t an instant fix, but it was a reminder: his life wasn’t his alone to give or take. He belonged to God, and that meant his story wasn’t over yet.
Ricky decided to call his sister that evening. Her relief and love poured through the phone as she insisted he come over for dinner. Slowly, with the support of loved ones and a renewed faith, Ricky began to rebuild—not just his life, but his understanding of God’s unwavering presence in it.
Romans 14:7-8 became his lifeline. Whether in joy or sorrow, life or death, Ricky belonged to the Lord. That truth gave him the strength to keep going.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that our lives are not our own, but they belong to You.
In moments of despair, when we feel alone or overwhelmed, help us to remember that You have a plan and a purpose for each of us.
Thank You for walking with Ricky in his darkest hour and showing him that his life has meaning in You.
Lord, when we face struggles that seem unbearable, give us the courage to reach out to You and to those who care for us.
Help us to see that even in our pain, we are deeply loved and valued.
May we live each day for Your glory, trusting that we are never outside of Your care.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
