Monday, June 13, 2011

Life Turns on a Dime

This is the lesson that I have been learning over the past several weeks. It started with me being informed that the grant that has funded my position will be ending this summer. Time to polish up the ole resume :-) I have discovered that my experience (and the salary that schools are contractually obligated to provide a person of my experience) is working against me in these tough economic times. I can only imagine what my 40 and 50 something friends are going through as they seek employment to provide for their families. However, my struggles pale in comparison to other situations that some of my friends and acquaintances have been dealing with over the past couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks ago on of my co-workers started experiencing some unexplained headaches and had difficulty putting her words together. This was on a Monday. She worked Tuesday and went to her doctor Wednesday. To make a long story short, after several different tests it was determined that she has an inoperable brain tumor the size of a tennis ball and has been given 2-6 months to live. As far as we know, she did not have any prior symptoms. She is the age of my mother. Please pray for her and the family that will be operating as caregivers in the days to come.

I was also saddened to hear of the sudden passing of a fellow minister last week in an automobile accident. I did not know the brother personally, but have been inspired by the accounts given about others about this man’s ministry and love for the Lord’s people. I hope that I can leave such a legacy when my time on earth is done.

All of these events have served to remind me that life can change quickly. We do not know when we might breathe our last breath. One of the most eloquent statements to this effect can be found in the book of James:

Jam 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.


At best, our life is like a wisp of air. We have 90 to 100 years on this earth at most. Knowing this truth, how are we spending our time? Are we focusing on what is important? How many words have gone unsaid? How many grudges and ill feelings do we harbor? The honest truth is that we should be living every day like it is possibly the last. Our times are ultimately in the Lord’s hands are they not? James believed that!

Today’s lesson is this:

1. Frequently tell your loved ones and friends how much you love them. Better yet, show them by your deeds!

2. Do not harbor grudges! I have counseled several heartbroken folks that neglected to mend fences and later regretted this decision when the other person passed away suddenly. Today is a good day to practice Ephesians 4:32.

3. Constantly assess your priorities. God first, then family/loved ones, and everything else falls into place somewhere behind. When your life is drawing to an end, you won’t be regretting not spending enough time working or playing. You will wish that you had taken advantage of more opportunities to engage in spiritual endeavors or had spent more time with your wife, children, cherished friends and loved ones.

Life indeed turns on a dime. I pray that we will make the most of our time on this earth. We all are not likely to make it out alive unless the Lord returns soon. Whatever the case, may we remember what is important!

Time, what an empty vapor 'tis!
And days, how swift they are!
Swift as an Indian arrow flies,
Or like a shooting star.

The present moments just appear,
Then slide away in haste,
That we can never say, "They're here,"
But only say, "They're past."

Our life is ever on the wing,
And death is ever nigh;
The moment when our lives begin
We all begin to die.

Yet, mighty God! our fleeting days
Thy lasting favors share,
Yet with the bounties of thy grace
Thou load'st the rolling year.

'Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
And we are clothed with love;
While grace stands pointing out the road
That leads our souls above.

His goodness runs an endless round;
All glory to the Lord!
His mercy never knows a bound,
And be his name adored!

Thus we begin the lasting song;
And when we close our eyes,
Let the next age thy praise prolong,
Till time and nature dies.

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts, 1806

Have a great week!

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