“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28
Before you read any further, take a big, long, deep breath, and hold it and then very slowly exhale until your lungs are empty. Imagine, that your lungs were holding the span of your life and when you reached a point where you needed to gasp for air; your time was up; no refill. Life is so short and fragile. We really don't have many years and to spend them doing dumb stuff on this side of Heaven seems like such a waste.
Back in the day, when I was working in Kimball County Nebraska, every once in a while, I would travel a few hours into Colorado and visit some ghost towns in the Rocky Mountains. As I recall, many had flourished in the late 1800’s and residents thought that the mines would last forever; but suddenly everything screeched to a halt as the silver disappeared. Almost overnight those bustling, loud population centers became vacant dust collectors on the side of a barren mountain. Those windswept ghost towns are now silent, hollow shells awaiting a Clint Eastwood western movie to come and use what is left of them.
What often looks as if it is here to stay and will make a significant impact can be frighteningly temporary. When God says, "That's it; time's up," it's only a matter of time. Our God is in complete control. He lets nothing out of His grip, He starts one and stops another. He pushes one ahead and holds another back.
In the attached photo, is lunch for thirteen Haitian school children; the cost is $3.25. Want to make a significant impact in a child’s life? How many more opportunities will you have to impact somebody’s life in a wonderful way? Yes, life is short. God has a plan for your life and the thirteen kids who will be eating a lunch of rice and beans. God has given you a real, almost too easy, opportunity to make an impact. Instead of thinking you can’t make a difference in your remaining days, see the significance of them in light of God's plan. Ask Him to help you view each day as He looks at it.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay