Humbled by Gum

Have you ever had a moment where you know what the right thing to do is...but for some reason you choose not to do it. Im not talking about huge moments here just the small ones, such as driving by a stranded motorist or not holding the door. Well i had one of those moments today. I was sitting in class and i take a pack of gum out of my pocket and get a nice slice of gum for myself, my freind next to me with a smile on his face says "ohh my favorite" i look at him, smile, nod and put the pack back in my pocket. Obviously the right thing there would have been to offer him a peice, it briefly crossed my mind, but i pushed it out and thought this gum is mine. The ironic twist to the whole story is that my roomate gave me that pack of gum earlier. I know what your thinking right now "what a jerk, its just gum"...for real, and there were still 3 peices left so it wasn't like it was my last. Don't worry the guilt caused me to offer him a peice about 3 minutes later...which he declined.

Why does this make me such a jerk is the question that i pondered for awhile afterwards. While i never really came up with anything worth writing down on that question something else popped up in my mind. What else do i hold onto as if it is mine when it is really just a gift. You know where im going with this right? Thats what i thought...how about my entire existence. What have i ever done to earn my life? nothing at all...when im brutally honest ive done plenty to deserve for it to be taken away. I've wasted the time, I've wasted the talents and I've stolen the glory. Of course, this whole discourse is presupposed to the idea that we have a maker and creator, but thats just where I am. This life is not my own and it deserves to be given freely to the one who gave me life, not just my first breath but my redemption. Give up the gum it's the only path to peace, just don't wait 3 minutes. He who tries to save his life will lose it, he who gives up his life will gain it.