"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:13–17).
As I sit at my desk, I look up and see pictures of people that I care about - many who have passed from this life. Before those who had passed were form my parents generation and before. But now, it is my friends and siblings - my generation. It gives me pause for reflection on my life. It hardly seems possible that I would be 72 (almost). I see the world as I did my whole adult life - even though it is through transition lenses now. But looking back, James words strike home - Life IS like a vapor - a wisp of smoke - in terms of eternity not even as big as one of the periods after this sentence.
My point - I must be careful that I live my life, the days I have remaining, in a way that counts - that honors God.
"For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:9–12) A prayer of Moses.
Teach us to number our days. To not have an attitude of "manana" - tomorrow. I know that I am not living or serving in the way that God has purposed for me - but not today. If not now - when? Like God said to the man who chose to build bigger barns rather than bless others through his own blessing - "You Fool!" I say all that to say this.
Be careful how you live your life Christian. Live a life that counts for God's glory and the good of others. You have been born again into the mission and purpose. Fulfill it while you still have breath in your body. The is a song that I have referenced before that I will share again - By Don Moen. "When It's All Been Said And Done"
"When it's all been said and done There is just one thing that matters Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for you?
When it's all been said and done All my treasures will mean nothing Only what I've done for love's reward Will stand the test of time
Lord, your mercy is so great That you look beyond our weakness And find purest gold in miry clay Turning sinners into saints. Hallelujah
And I will always sing your praise Here on earth and ever after For you've shown me heavens, my true home When it's all been said and done You're my life when life is gone..."
Let that be your life song.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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