My grandson wanted to roast marshmallows over a campfire but we’ve been in a drought. My dad agreed to build the fire when we came to visit, and in God’s perfect timing, it rained the day before and the day of our visit. He added the wood to fuel the fire before we arrived. By the time the drizzle had mostly doused the flames, the embers burned red and we roasted dozens of marshmallows under umbrellas by the fire pit. It was a lot of work for just a few minute of roasting, but our time together was priceless. My only regret is not getting pictures.
Life is fleeting. A million tiny moments make up a lifetime and it seems the older I get, the more quickly they pass. I am middle aged; the ending of my story may be as close or closer than the beginning. Maybe the moments seem to pass so quickly because of the vast number before them. Each one seems smaller and smaller by comparison. One day you and I will be forgotten just like the generations before us. Maybe someone will say with a laugh or a sigh, that makes me think of her, but maybe not.
“O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?
For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.”
Psalms 144:3-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.144.3-4.NLT
““Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.”
Psalms 39:4-7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.39.7.NLT
Only as disciples of Christ, followers of Jesus walking in the Way of Truth, is our brief sojourn pregnant with purpose. Our mortality is not the curse. Death is defeated in Christ. Our brief lifespan is a gift. We were created for unimpeded fellowship with God. The curse brought separation, knowledge of evil and with it guilt and shame, and labored striving that will not be fully satisfied in this world for either sex. These we brought on ourselves and we are slaves to them until we find freedom in Christ. The striving does not end until eternity, but we are no longer separate. The Light of life lives within us.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.4.6-7.ESV
Paul uses imagery from the creation narrative (Genesis 1:3, 2:7, Isaiah 9:2) to point to the fact that though we are literally crafted from dust and clay, we are created to carry the brilliant light of God’s glory, Jesus Christ. (Excerpt from TPT in text note for II Corinthians 4:7)
Put another way-
“For God, who said, “Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” is the one who has cascaded his light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ.
We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours.
Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed.
At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option.
We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith.”
So we also first believe then speak in faith.
We do this because we are convinced that he who raised Jesus will raise us up with him, and together we will all be brought into his presence.
So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.
We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity.
We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:6-8, 13-14, 16-18 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/2co.4.18.TPT
“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”
Psalms 90:10, 12, 14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.90.10-14.NLT
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.4.16-18.ESV
Every day that my eyes open in this world is another day for God to shine His light into darkness. Every new breath I take is God’s patience, expressing His heart’s deepest desire, that none should perish but all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
“But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief.
The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a raging inferno, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?
Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival.
The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice.
We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness. * * *”
2 Peter 3:10-13 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/2pe.3.10-13.MSG
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
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