What speaks to me each year is the fact that Jimmy V left the world at an early age. There he stood on that stage, speaking to an audience who sat with the same mindset we hold most days - a belief that they had plenty of time. He stood before an audience that held on to every word he spoke and he encouraged them to never give up. He was helped down the stairs by two friends, Dick Vitale and Coach K. So much was wrapped into a few moments in time, but the lessons from that night are still as true today.
1 - Life is brief - we often have that belief that we have so much longer to live. We are sure that we will see our children grow up, that we will know our grandchildren, that we will retire, and will live to an age that denotes longevity. But what if we don't? What if tomorrow is not a day we will see on this earth? The Bible tells us, "Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how transitory I am." (Psalm 39:4 HCSB) As Jimmy V spoke that night, he knew that there was a chance he would die soon. Therefore, every moment became more valuable, every word more impactful, and every memory made more cherished. Live today with an eye on eternity. See this moment as a blessing and a every opportunity as special. Jimmy V struggled to get to the ESPY awards that night, but the world was better off because he went. Don't waste opportunities believing that other chances will come along. They might not.
2 - Make friends - Seeing Jimmy V being helped down the stairs by Coach K was incredible. The two had been heated rivals but there near the end, they had become friends. Have friends in life. I recently saw a video where Coach K was reflecting on his friendship with Jimmy V over two decades later, revealing the impact of such a connection that they shared. Friends aren't optional in life. They are a necessity. The very presence of a friend can help us to persevere when we are tired or frustrated, they provide laughter and share in our grief, and most importantly, they get us. They understand what makes us tick and we understand the same about them. What once was a rival was now by his side when he drew his last breath, showing the world the value of a friend's presence in our lives. Jesus even used the friendship relationship to speak about love in John 15:13, when He said, "No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends." Find the ones who will lay aside themselves for you and the ones that you would give up all of your life for them.
3 - Remember the message - His words were to never give up. As he stood there fighting cancer, he also stood as an inspiration because he was living the message he was proclaiming. Don't give up. Keep pushing regardless of the odds you are facing. See how your resiliency in your life might be what inspires someone else to be resilient in their lives. Paul wrote, "Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroy, our inner person is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16 HCSB). Be an inspiration through your determination. In a world of quitters, people are desperate to find others who will push through and keep going no matter what they face.
Following such life lessons will ensure that you will live a life that echoes beyond your time here on earth. You will make the most of your time, love those around you more deeply, and reach heights that are higher than you can imagine simply remembering three B's - brevity (of life), blessing (of friends), and boldness (not quitting).
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