A New Year's Resolution: Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying

In the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption,"  which takes place in 1947, two prisoners, Andy and Red, become friends while serving time in Shawshank State Prison. Even though he is in prison, Andy is sustained by hope.  He believes in it and over a period of 20 years, it is hope that motivates him to methodically dig a tunnel that eventually leads to his freedom.  Maybe you have seen the movie, and so remember one salient line spoken by Andy as he and Red sit in the prison yard.  Andy is talking about future plans.  Red warns him that hope is a dangerous thing.  But, Andy says, " I guess it comes down to a simple choice:  Get busy living or get busy dying."  Andy knew that his tunneling was just about complete and that hope was coming to fruition; bondage would be history and freedom would be future.  What if Andy had waited almost two decades to "get busy living?"  What if, after 10, 12, 15 years, he had begun to dig his tunnel to freedom.  To do nothing was to "get busy dying."

We are about to start a new year.  What is calling all of us to either "get busy living or...?"
What is it that we postpone, put off, or table?  We all have a tunnel that we need to dig, and maybe we shouldn't wait another 10,12, or 15 years to start digging.  Unfortunately, we can't ask someone else to dig our tunnel for us. What if Andy had asked fellow prisoners to dig his tunnel for him? There are just some tunnels only we can dig.  If we purposely plan to commit and to implement, 2014 could be our tunnel to...

• taking that online course 
• finishing that degree
• reading more - www.goodreads.com or free app
• walking that 2 miles each day-My Fitness Pal free app or myfitnesspal.com
• learning that language - www.duolingo.com
• reconciling that relationship
• traveling more - www.ricksteves.com
• taking that mission trip
• starting a daily devotional - www.odb.org
• volunteering at that organization
• enrolling in a Bible study - YouVersion Bible app for your phone, tablet, and computer
• developing a relationship with Jesus
• becoming a church member
• Keeping a journal or starting a blog 

Do you remember where Andy hid the small metal pick hammer that he used for 20 years?  He hid it in the warden's Bible.  Symbolically, perhaps we could say that Andy put his hope in the Bible.
Spiritually, we can do the same:  "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."(Isaiah 40:31)
We certainly need that kind of strength and energy to dig our tunnels and the Lord of redemption offers it free.  That's how we get busy living...for all eternity.

Wishing you a year of tunneling!
Happy New year!    P.S. On your iPad or computer, be sure to take our poll (upper right hand corner of the blog)

Keep Looking Up!
J:m and L:nda