Precious Time On Earth

It upsets my balance to think of how a person can be on this earth for 87 years, and then, in one moment, one single, tiny moment, their life here is gone. Gone from this earth. Such finality. I think that for me, finality is the saddest aspect of death, because I am used to my relationship with Christ in which I am keenly aware that God forgives mistakes, that He restores, that He renews, that He breathes true life into my very being. So, while my grandmother is in the presence of God and missing me not one bit, I am left here with the last page of her lovely “earthly book” to read and re-read. It will never be added to. It won’t be changed. It was. 

I turn all of these thoughts inward toward myself, reflecting on how short our lives truly are. Whether we live to be 30 or live to be 90, our lives are fleeting. And when they have ended, they have ended. Praise God that if we belong to Him, we do go on living for eternity with Him! Death for the believer is beautiful and joyous, not something to be feared or dreaded. But our hope of heaven does not make our time on earth less precious. The time God has given us on this earth IS precious and VERY important, because it is the only window of time in the continuum of eternity when we have eternal impact on others and ourselves. These few short years we are living are determining our eternity and they are affecting the spiritual lives of everyone with whom we come in contact. 

Thirty-two years. Thirty-two years I have been on this planet, and I hope that they have been absolutely filled with obedience to the Lord and impacting the kingdom of God, because that is the only thing that lasts. If Jesus has not yet returned for His children, then I will die one day, and I will be remembered by those who loved me. It won’t be long before those who loved me will also die, and then I will be remembered no more.

These are indeed introspective and somber thoughts, but these thoughts are also stirring and motivating. They remind me to focus on what matters and to go forward with passion and liberty and the fullness of God. Because every moment that I am obeying God, every moment that I am sharing Him with others, every moment that I am reaching out to someone in the name of Jesus, every moment that I am using my resources and abilities for my Father matters. It matters. It matters forever. It’s not lost or forgotten or unrecognized or unappreciated. It is lasting and purposeful and fulfilling and good.

We must develop a keen sense of awareness and care that keeps us spiritually awake during our lives here on this earth. Spiritually speaking, there is no time to sleep. We have an important journey from infancy to however long we are blessed to be here. We must continually walk as children of the light, so our lives will matter for the glory of God. We must live with passion for the Lord and sincere love for others, so they will see His love and plan for them, as well.

Thank you, God, that you have given us this time on earth and sent your precious Holy Spirit so that we can truly know you and make the choice to love and serve you. Help me not squander the days of my life, but help me diligently and gladly spend the days of my life showing you how much I love you and how grateful and thankful and moved I am that You first loved me. I want You to see for the duration of my life on this earth that I love and am devoted to You, that when I see you in heaven and I speak words of love and adoration to You, it will be no surprise at all.

 

Philippians 2:12-18
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.  

Colossians 3:23, 24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.