Life in Three Tenses

Maribel, one of our kids, was a sprinter when she was in prep school. One of her events was the 4 x 100 meter, a race with four runners. The continuity of the race is the baton and the key is the hand-off. It happens in a blind fashion. The outgoing runner does not look backwards, even as she extends her hand to receive the baton. It is the responsibility of the incoming runner to thrust it into her outstretched hand, and not let go until the outgoing runner takes hold of it.

It's a metaphor for life. We are part of a long relay, generations overlapping, influence passing from one person to the next. We anticipate tomorrow even as we remember yesterday!  Like Paul, I often say, "I thank my God every time I remember you." (Philippians 1:3, NIV)  I live in three tenses: past, present, and future.
Yesterday is a treasure!
Today is taking shape.
Tomorrow is full of promise - because of those with whom I walk and the plans of God.  

Last week, I had to write a letter of farewell to friends who moved on. It is hard to extend the baton and release it to them as they run on. But, as the Preacher of Ecclesiastes writes, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. ... A time to cry and a time to laugh." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-9, NLT) Even as one partnership dissolves, another takes shape. There is sadness, offset by joy.  In our extended families, we gather for funerals or weddings. Friends, people we knew in the past, relatives; as well as new acquaintances, come for a time to sit down to feast. Ties from the past are strengthened and possibilities for the future are formed around those tables.  

In the book of the Revelation, so full of conflict and suffering, there is a moment of promise. John sees a great celebration, a gathering of God's people that never ends. "I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the finest white linen." (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) And the angel said, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God." (Revelation 19:6-9, NLT)

Eternity offers us rest, completion, the joy of no more handing off the baton! I so look forward to not needing to say, "so long" to anyone ever again. But until then, I'll keep running. How about you? Here's a word from the Word. " Do you see what this means-all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running-and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins." (Hebrews 12:1, The Message) There is a race to be run. Let's go!

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This Could Be The Dawning

A parade began at Calv'ry,

The saints of all the ages fill its ranks.

O'er the sands of time they're marching,

To their King's great coronation,

And this could be the dawning of that day.

Oh, this could be the dawning

Of that grand and glorious day!

When the face of Jesus we behold.

Dreams and hopes of all the ages,

Are awaiting His returning,

And this could be the dawning of that day.

Gloria Gaither | William J. Gaither

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