February 25, 2020 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I went to the doctor for my annual checkup. I still have to get some bloodwork done, but his early prognosis was excellent – I think . . . He told me I was in great shape and then added, for someone your age.
Grrrr . . .
Why couldn’t he just slap me on the back and say, Bob you’re in great shape and leave it at that. Oh but no, he felt the need to remind me that I was getting old. You might be inclined to point out that I am getting old. Hmmm . . . suppose so, but I don’t feel old so that’s something.
Billy Graham was asked by a university student: What is life’s greatest surprise? Without hesitation he responded, “The brevity of it.”
He went on to say that time moves so quickly, and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our lives will be over. With that in mind, shouldn’t we get busy working for the Lord? As Jesus said in John 9:4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”
I believe the night in this verse refers to this life being over. I wonder how many people think they will get around to church and the work of the church soon. How tragic will it be to put it off too long?
When I entered retirement, I thought I would be bored silly, but the truth of the matter is that I’m as busy now as ever. I want to squeeze the most out of each and every day. The older I get the more cognizant I become concerning my journey and how long it might last. When various friends start dropping out like flies all around me and they are the same age and/or younger than me it is similar to seeing the sun slowly sinking on the horizon and knowing that soon it will be dark but going ahead and staying offshore in the hopes of landing just one more fish.
One time I was trying to encourage my aging father to exercise and he responded that he got his exercise being a pallbearer at his friend’s funerals. I’m beginning to see what he was talking about. His approach to his impending demise was laced with humor and profound statements. The last good conversation I had with him he told me he had fought the good fight and finished the race and he was ready. Though he had made some mistakes in life he turned it around in the end and I have no doubt he is celebrating with those in heaven.
I too made many mistakes and still do, but I didn’t wait for a better time or for a time when things settled down and I wasn’t so busy. I went to work and though I don’t know when the Lord will give me the call; I too am ready! I hope you are as well. If not, you can start today and should. Life is short – Make it sweet!
James 4:14
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.