Pastor Bob

Ben Franklin famously wrote, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” And while I certainly think that this is an oversimplification, it still does ring true.

One hundred percent of those who read this post will eventually die; that is a fact! Regardless of their stellar gene pool, workout regimen, and diet, they will indeed perish one day. It is unmistakably unavoidable. Choosing to ignore the topic of the brevity of life in no way changes the fact that death is coming for us all.

Human beings are pretty unusual compared to the animal kingdom (because we are made in the image of God, which is a topic for another day), and in more ways than just one. Specifically, however, I am referring to human beings fully understanding that they are temporal, finite beings. Beings who, for all their outstanding accomplishments, cannot extend their time on this earth indefinitely. Remarkably, humans wake up, go to work, laugh, play, love, hate, and so on, all the while knowing full well that they cannot escape the finitude of their own lives.

I recall back in April of 2018, several deaths made the headlines. First was R. Lee Ermey, an actor known for his role in Full Metal Jacket (and many other roles in films and television, including Toy Story!). He was 74. Then there was the death of Harry Anderson, of Night Court fame. I can still remember watching Night Court when I was a kid. The character he played was silly, but I loved it. And that he did magic tricks was a bonus (fun fact: he was a magician in “real life”). Harry Anderson was 65. The next passing was Barbara Bush, the former First Lady to President George H. Bush and mother of President George W. Bush.  Barbara Bush was 92. Lastly, and without a doubt, most heartrending, was Jennifer Riordan. Jennifer, unfortunately, was the passenger on Southwest Flight 1380 who tragically lost her life when one of the plane’s engines malfunctioned, causing debris to puncture the aircraft. She was a wife, mother, and successful in her occupation. Jennifer Riordan was 43.

Death is unavoidable.

Rarely in such a diminutive amount of time do we see headlines of those who died in such close succession, yet their dissimilarities abound all the more. Two were successful actors, one a prominent political matriarch. And the last, though unknown to the greater populace, she was undoubtedly known throughout her community, industry, and family (and, according to all accounts, a great person). Their age, at the time of death piqued my interest.

The youngest was only 43, which sounds too young to die in modern, scientifically and medically advanced times. However, tell that to the countless parents who have children battling all forms of terrible cancers who would give anything to see their child make it to 18-perspective. The oldest, at 92, sounds much better. The other two, at 64 and 75, fall into the middle. However, I have read numerous comments on social media that 65 is “way too young to die.” The bottom line is no one, if they are being honest, wants to die.

The Bible says, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes (James 4:14). And how true is that? Very.

Life is like a vapor: here one moment, gone the next. I fully realized this when I grew older. Oddly, it seems like just last week, I was cruising around my hometown in my 1966 Chevy II Nova, listening to a CD (remember what those are?) as the sound pumped through a pair of Sony 6×9 speakers and a couple of Rockford Fosgate subs-if all those descriptions do not date me, nothing will. The irony is that this was over twenty-seven years ago. How could twenty-seven years go that fast? As I age, it seems as if time is speeding up!

It is impossible to increase our time, yet changing how we spend our time is possible. The world’s money, prestige, and power cannot add to our time. We can exhaust ourselves, working as diligently as possible, yet that will not add time to our day. Each person has 1,440 minutes in their day. Factoring in time sleeping, eating, bathing, and going to the restroom, not to mention working, there is little time left. Everyone must ask, “What am I doing with my time?”

I have read numerous articles over the years, from varying perspectives, concerning those who are terminally ill. The view of these sick, terminally ill patients paints a vivid picture. Regardless of which article I’ve read, not a single one ever states that those persons looking back on their lives wish that they would have done any of the following:

-Worked more

-Made more money

-Acquired more personal possessions

What is done with a person’s time speaks volumes about that person; in fact, it speaks louder than anything the person says. One can say that they  “put family first” or say they are  “committed to my faith” or a host of other things, but if how they spend their time contradicts any of those statements, they have lied.

How are you spending your time as of late?

Are you loving those who need to be loved? Are you showing grace and kindness to those who desperately need it?  How about smiling? Are you smiling more than walking around looking like someone popped your favorite balloon? Are you sharing your faith and hope in Jesus with those who have lost all hope and even doubt the existence of a God who loves them? Or perhaps you cannot share your hope in Jesus because you do not have that hope’ “God stuff” is not for you, and you think your faith cannot betray your intelligence. Possibly, you are staking your claim on a deathbed conversion at 99; don’t bet on it.

The Bible teaches that this world is not all there is. In the gospel of John, these words are found: For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. I underlined eternal as a reminder that this physical life on earth is not all there is.Time continues to count down for everyone. Death is no respecter of person, age, esteem, or wealth. There is no way to add more grains of sand to your hourglass of life.

Do not waste your life on the wrong things; do not hesitate one more day to make the decisions you know you need to make! You are not dead….yet!