I haven’t historically paid too much attention to Mixed Martial Arts, but even I was aware of the recent contest between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, which was hailed as “The Biggest Fight of the Century” and a “Dream Matchup.” The build-up to the event and the sheer magnitude of accompanying hype was impressive, to say the least.  Even people whose typical leisure-time activities include reading the Journal of Clinical Lipidology were at least mildly interested!

And finally, Fight Night arrived!  Then it was over in 17 seconds.  And the question, “What’s next?” echoed throughout the disappointed arena.

Similarly, we “build up” the importance of life events and marinate milestones in hype, thinking that once we accomplish these goals we will “be happy and fulfilled.”  

Graduations.  State championships.  Scholarships.  Board exams.  Dream jobs.  Marriage.  All good things…but if the completion of those things is placed on a pedestal, the satisfaction that comes with achieving those goals will last for…about 17 seconds.  And the haunting words “What’s next?” will reverberate throughout your shockingly empty soul.

But, if you recognize that there is immense beauty in the process…that the true gift is the opportunity itself…and the greatest gifts are the people that God places in your life throughout the journey…then you will experience a lasting joy that far transcends the fleeting fulfillment of any diploma, degree, or vocational victory.  With the proper perspective, the question, “What’s next?” will be one filled with eager anticipation rather than sullen dissatisfaction.  And whether the answer to that question comes in the next 17 seconds or in 17 years, you’ll be content to bask in the beauty of each day God gives you while you reside in this temporal realm😊