Life is a Vapour

       Eighty, ninety years seems like a long time to me; especially since I am only half way there.  Mankind in our human, frail, sinful bodies are not meant to live forever.  The Lord made sure of that when He kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden so they wouldn’t eat from the tree of life and live forever in their sinful state. (Gen. 3:22,23)  We are like a vapour that appears for a while then vanishes- like morning fog. (Jm. 4:14)  When I compare my life to eternity that is when I feel small and like a vapour.  In the context of eternity, a hundred years is very short. 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Ps. 90:12 

       Why does Moses say we should learn to number our days?  It is so we may apply our hearts to wisdom.  In what ways?  We should keep in mind that our days are short so we would not waste them in the foolishness of the world and worldly pleasures.  We should be living life fully, and there is no better way to do that than to be in the Lord’s will and following the Spirit’s lead.  If tomorrow were your last day on earth, where would your priorities be?  ‘...teach us to number our days…’

       When we realize our time is short, we value things more appropriately.  In other words, things become less important and people more important.  A short time motivates us to better our relationships with others, family, friends, and all loved ones.  We will use our time and talents more wisely when we consider our days are numbered.  And most of all, it encourages us to press in to the Lord while we are still here and able to do the work He has called us to do.

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  Ps. 39:4-7

Lord, my days here are just a short time.  Help me remember that and use my time wisely- for Your glory and honour.  Shine Your light through me so that others will want You in their lives before it is too late.

My hope is in You!

The Perfect Gift

       It had taken us months consulting with each other on the perfect gift: we considered needs, wants, likes and significance.  Once decided, it took weeks before we managed to find the exact item we were looking for.  There was more time spent arranging everything, even determining the best delivery possible- one of us delivering the package in person.  That alone took phone calls, ticket selection, purchase, and packing.  This would be the biggest and best gift Auntie Joe would ever receive and it would bring her years of pleasure!

       What an honour it was for me to be chosen to deliver it!  I arrived at the airport two hours in advance, and ended up having all my possessions rifled through, and being pulled in for questioning.  They grilled me for what seemed like hours, and then they had me strip searched!  It was humiliating!  Still, I never regretted the decision to deliver our special gift in person.  I couldn’t wait to see the look on Auntie Joe’s face when she saw me and opened her gift from us. 

       Thursday night I arrived in Amsterdam and took a taxi to a little ‘low end’ bed and breakfast unknown by most travelers.  I called home to let them know I had arrived and to ensure all the necessary arrangements had been made to make sure Auntie would be home when I arrived at 2 pm the next day and I was relieved to find out she would absolutely be home.

 

       The next morning I spent two hours carefully and creatively decorating her special gift with the perfect wrap, bows and ribbon (since we didn’t want it to rumple in transit).  I arrived at her house at exactly the right time, and joyously skipped up the sidewalk in anticipation of the pleasure in seeing her open the gift.  It was so exciting!!!

       I knocked at the door for several minutes, but there was no answer, so I put down the gift and began knocking even louder.  Why wasn’t she answering?  Disappointment began to set in.  I started calling out to her, “Auntie, let me in…  please let me in,” but still there was no response.  After an hour of trying, with a saddened heart I decided to leave it be for the night.

       Perhaps another day would be better.  It broke my heart to think she might never have the joy of receiving our perfect gift we had so carefully planned.  Later, Uncle found out that Auntie had been home but ignored the knocking because she was too busy with her day and felt she didn’t want to be disturbed.

Jesus says…

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20

Don’t be too busy to open the door of your heart and life to the Lord.  He really wants to be with you!

Why I Like Birthdays

       I had a friend mention today that I must really like birthdays.  To be honest, I never thought about it at all, but it only took a moment or two to figure out why.  It isn’t the decorations, parties, or presents, it isn’t the cards, good food or warm wishes that thrill me; it is the actual birth of that specific person.

       The Creator of the universe saw that we needed a particular personality, unique in character and form to be in a precise place and specific time, and then- since I know it’s their birthday- the Lord allowed me the knowledge of this precious person. Isn’t that exciting?  How much better can it be?  The Lord of all deemed my life to be improved by knowing this person born on their birthday in their birthplace to their particular family.  No matter how I think about it, it is all very marvelous to me!

       God has a purpose for everyone He brought to life: Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr, and you.  Imagine that… I placed you in a group of very well known people who did ‘great things’ in the world!  Do you know why?  Because you will do great things in the lives of the people around you… if you follow the Lord and do His will.

It is not important that you be known ‘world wide’, you just need to be known by God. (Nah. 1:7; Mt. 7:23)

Here is scripture on the birth of a new person.  (From TLB for the beauty of it)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  It is amazing to think about.  Your workmanship is marvelous- and how well I know it.  You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!  You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.  Every day was recorded in your Book!

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!  I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me.  And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

                                                                                                            (Ps. 139:13-18)

The God of all creation is glad you were born…

                           And so am I !!!