The Ticking Clock - Pt. 2
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:16, NIV
“What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.”
James 4:14, CEV
If you are reading this, then you are still alive. Since I am writing this, I am still alive. Three o’clock in the afternoon came and went, and we are still alive. Breath is still in our bodies. Blood runs warmly through our veins. The ticking clock still ticks. Would you join me in continued reflections on the gift of this our lives?
Former U.S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall preached a sermon entitled “Go Down Death.” In it he proclaimed, “It is not the length of life that matters, but how it is lived. That is the thing that counts. It is not ‘how long’ but ‘how well.’”
Marshall’s words invite us to reflect on the fact that we cannot dodge life’s brevity or dictate life’s longevity. Jesus’ elder brother James emphasized the delicate and fragile nature of life as well by comparing it to a vanishing vapor, a fleeting fog, a momentary mist. As soon as we burst onto the stage of life, twist and turn through seasons of ups and downs, heres and theres, thens and nows, it seems our time to exit stage left comes all too quickly.
So that you do not mistake me for one who takes great delight in morbid themes, I will hasten to say that I appreciate life and desire to live a full one. I do not want to merely exist and take up space. Yes, I have dreams of growth, accomplishment, and success. I want to be a transformational leader and a conscientious citizen. I hope to see the world with my own two eyes. I want to thrive, do good, and positively impress others. I want to win in my relationships with God, family, and friends. You see, I want a lot out of life.
But, what does life want out of me? More importantly, what does God want out of me?
What does God want out of us?
If the Psalmist is right, then God has been thinking about you and me for a long time. God was watching us before we were fully developed. Before we had tongues to taste, noses to smell, ears to hear, hands to touch, or feet to walk, God saw us. He permitted our conception, oversaw our formation, and timed our arrival. He has divinely designed desires for our lives. Therefore, we will be most fulfilled by embracing His wants for our lives.
This week, let’s pray this prayer together:
Dear Lord, may my plans for this day be in agreement, arrangement, and alignment with Your plans for this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You’re already loved,
Pastor Martin
7/23/20