Brevity
Pondering mortality is not the most pleasant endeavor! So, let's state the obvious, right? Yesterday's paper reported the tragic death of Thomas Herrion, a young football player with the San Francisco 49'ers, immediately following an exhibition game in Denver on Saturday. After he played hard in the final moments of the game, the lineman went into the locker room where he collapsed and died - at 23 years of age. No specific cause of death was given in the article. The demise of the young always shocks us. In old age, we are more accepting. Psalm 90 is unsparing, forcing ALL of us to confront the inevitability of our death - “Return to dust!” For You, (Lord) a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours! You sweep people away like dreams that disappear or like grass that springs up in the morning." (Psalm 90:3-5, NLT)
Perhaps I am more pensive than most, but I am prone to consider my mortality several times a month. There is Scriptural precedent for pondering one's death! Psalm 90:12 says "... teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. " (NKJV) According to this prayer of Moses, keeping one eye on the calendar, watching the days as they move from future, to present, to past, one by one, is a means of becoming wise. I am not maudlin, but I am realistic. At age 50, I know that I am in the late 3rd quarter of the game. The time to put some points on the board is now! I cannot help but think of the fleeting days, the lifetime that is 'like grass that springs up in the morning.' That stark reality does not terrorize me for I have assurance of life beyond this terrestrial plane. It does motivate me, maybe too much. I am compelled to make this day matter. Is that evidence of good stewardship or an expression of my ego, a vain attempt at immortality? Only God knows for sure! I certainly hope it is the former.
Last week Bev and I visited with her parents, both in their 7th decade of life. In one of those hard, but necessary moments, they talked with us about their health care directives, their financial plans, and their wills. It was sobering. They are 'numbering their days,' and wisely, they are preparing. Foolishly, some people will not do as Bob and Irene have done, because of an irrational fear that preparing a will or talking about death will somehow hasten the arrival of the final day. Instead of using the time that that is given to them to prepare, some choose to live as though denying the facts of life and death will keep them from being true.
Don't be one of those who will not consider the brevity of life! Let that sobering thought first cause you to live well in this world, and second, to live prepared for your entrance into eternal life. Peter urges us as Believers to set our hope fully on Christ Jesus as Savior, and then to apply ourselves to godliness. He says that living well helps us to die well! "Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10-12, NLT)
Make today count! It could be your last. Frightening thought? Then, get your life in order.
Let the grace of Christ remove the fear of death and the love of Christ transform the way you live now, so that no 'debt remains outstanding' and you are ready for that appointment - be it tomorrow or decades in the future.
__________________________
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound,
time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair.
When the saints on earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder I'll be there.
And on that bright and cloudless morning
When the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When the chosen ones shall gather
To their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder I'll be there.
So let us labor for the Master from the dawn 'til setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
And when all of life is over and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder I'll be there.
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonderI'll be there.
© 1994 Gaither Music Company ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management / DaviSongShop ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management / PraiseGathering Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementCCLI License No. 810055
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