"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that city, spend a year there, carry on business & make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are but a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's Will, we will live & do this or that." - James 4:13-15
Therefore, if our life IS a short as this verse says (in the grand scheme of things), we should, "be very careful, then, how you live--- not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's Will is... Be filled with the Spirit..., always giving thanks to the Father God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:16-20
We do not know the day nor the hour, both of our Lord's return (Matthew 24:36-44) nor of our own deaths (James 4:13-15). The times are uncertain. Apart from Christ there is no hope. But we, the believers, are unafraid & unshaken. Our hope is sure. We walk by faith (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7).
This is not a call to despair or melancholy. We must live intentionally, expectantly awaiting His return, making the most of the time that has been given to us (Luke 12:48b, Matthew 25:14-46, Matthew 28:19-20). We have been entrusted with the Light. We no long walk in Darkness (Ephesians 5:8-14). It is our job to shine that Light into a Dark world (Acts 13:47, Matthew 5:14-16).
Only what's done for Christ will last. Don't waste your life. Make the most of every moment. Love the unloveable. Cherish the old. Nurture the young. Take your time. Look for "small" miracles. Thank God every day. Say "I love you." Be forgiven. Rest in God's loving mercy. In the end, this is what REALLY matters.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on what is unseen, not on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"I will Walk by Faith/ Even when I cannot see/ Because this Broken Road/ Prepares Your Will for me" - Jeremy Camp ("Walk by Faith")
Wonderful post, Kate! Your knowledge of Scripture has been a real blessing to me and I hope you continue to saturate your posts with the infallible Word of God.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU, Dakota! I appreciate your praise! But it is not in my power, but the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I am but the vessel for His use! :) I pray that I never utter a word that He did not approve of first!
ReplyDelete