by Joanie Butman
At first glance, it appears I made a typo in the title; but it’s not. Unless you live under a rock, the ubiquitous carpe diem is a well-known aphorism encouraging us to “enjoy, seize, or make use of our present opportunities.” The more current YOLO (you only live once) is similar in its goal of urging us to take advantage of the moment. Both refer to making the most of exciting options, going for the gusto, grabbing a chance or the Biblical quote frequently taken out of context: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32b).
Conversely, ‘crape’ diem (a fictitious term), encourages us to seek out the lessons and the blessings of life circumstances we’d just as soon avoid or ignore. As much as we’d like to elude the hardships of life, they’re an unescapable reality. If you haven’t already, you will eventually find yourself in the middle of something you definitely do not want to seize, let alone embrace. Things like financial distress, job insecurity, all kinds of health challenges, broken relationships, broken dreams, death, etc. The list is endless.
Our default tends to be just getting through whatever cr#&p we’re facing. Christianity offers another option, though I wouldn’t recommend quoting James or Paul when ministering to someone in pain. It’s usually only in hindsight that we are capable of seeking the deeper meaning and purpose of our pain. God never wastes anything – including our afflictions. And He doesn’t want us to squander them either but to use them in service to others. The choice to honor our suffering transforms our pain into an act of love.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts” (Romans 5:3).
Lent is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we choose to process our pain. Do we ignore it, deny it, or attempt to power through on our own strength? Are we victims or victorious? Do we look to Jesus as an example trusting that “he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6)? Some of God’s greatest blessings come wrapped in hardship, so if we truly want to seize the day, we have to include all of it, not just the parts we enjoy.
Crape Diem!