Short Life

I’m not a tall guy – I’m probably of average height. Let’s not talk about average weight and such. I turned 55 in October and I think a lot more about the end of my life than the beginning until now. I find myself reflecting a good bit. I wonder if I’ll live until I’m 70 or 80. There are accidents to avoid and exercises to keep me healthy. I can get creeped out thinking too much about death. I think a better approach might be to live my life to the fullest in whatever time I have left. I believe in the One Who created me and He alone knows how my life will end. When we recently got the news that my brother-in-law has cancer, my thoughts about life were jolted. This is a serious disease. I also heard about a man and his son were going somewhere together when another vehicle crossed the center line and hit them head on, ending both their lives – how does that wife and mother process such a tragedy that came out of “left field”?

As I read the Word this am, I was reminded to talk to the One Who holds the balance of my life in His hands. I was also reminded that my words while I’m living have less significance than when I’m gone. I want to make my time here on earth count for my Creator Who is eternal. This life is preparatory for the life that is eternal. Check this out…

¹ I said, ‘I will watch my ways
    and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
    while in the presence of the wicked.’
² So I remained utterly silent,
    not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
³     my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ ‘Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.
⁵ You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
    even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:1-5 NIV)

Rich Mullins penned a line in a song that says: “Live like you’ll die tomorrow; die knowing you’ll live forever”. I need to squeeze every ounce of life I have out of my life here as I prepare for eternity. Life is short. Life is fragile. Life is hard sometimes. Life can feel long. A long life is relative to my journey with the Lord. I want to honor Him with whatever life I have left. I don’t want to be self-centered and self-focused. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t want to be reckless with my life. I just don’t want my life here to be so focused on life here that I miss eternity – the BIG PICTURE.

Pressing On!

Dwayne