If you play the Godzilla movie backwards, it is the story of a dinosaur who passionately reconstructs a city and then moon walks out of the picture.
If we look back over our lives from the end to the beginning, we may well think of the line from a Taylor Swift song, "If only you had seen what you know now then".
There are a few truths to keep in mind as we play our lives forward to the reel end, staying with the metaphor. The knowledge of these simple realities will add a sparkle and verve to our lives that we do not want to miss.
The first truth is expressed so clearly by Nietzsche, "Invited or not, God is always present." What a difference that knowledge makes to our behaviour. Rather than inducing fear, this fact should give us great consolation.
This is expressed so well in the Jesus Culture song "Where You Go I Go". Jesus would only move when he felt you [God] lead
following your heart
following your spirit
As Christians, how can you and I expect to walk without you [God]
when every move that Jesus made was in surrender
God is with us every moment of our lives and even after we die. No one dies alone. Matthew 28:20 says, "And know that I am with you always. Yes, even to the end of time."
The second great truth is expressed for us in Jeremiah 31:3: "I have loved you with an everlasting love." "Before you were born, in your mother's womb, I knew you."
God's love affair with us is seen in Isaiah 49:16: "I have carved you on the palm of my hand." And in John 14:17: "My love is everlasting."
The third great truth that will change our lives is knowing the peace of Christ. "My peace is my gift to you" (Matthew 11:28). Christ's greeting to his disciples after his resurrection is always, "Peace be with you" - "Be without fear!"
This peace is a gift from God, a peace of mind and soul; a peace that is not as the world gives it.
St Ignatius gives us three rules to guide our lives. First, imagine someone who is perfect at his or her job, doing all for the glory of God - then follow that person's behaviour.
Second, picture yourself at the hour of death and imagine how you will have wished to have lived your life. Now follow that guide.
Third, imagine facing the judge on the last day and consider how you would have wished to have carried out your duties. Then follow that guide.
As we live our lives there is one truth with which God wants to inspire us: "You are my beloved son; you are my beloved daughter. With you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22).
