The Brevity of Life

Billy Graham once said that the one thing about life that surprised him was the brevity of it. We are but a blimp on humanity’s radar screen. The Psalmist wrote, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4). As we get older, time seems to accelerate, and the years seem to fly by. Scripture declares, “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower in a field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” (Psalm 103:15-16).

A death in the family is a sharp reminder of the fragility and brevity of life. Death awakens the recognition that we are mortal beings. The passing of both of my parents in the last year has been thought provoking and through reflection has brought about the realization that the next generation that will encounter this inevitable appointment with destiny is mine. The transience of our human experience confronts our complacency.

The Bible says “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,” (Hebrews 9:27). Each of us will at one time in our lives, face imminent death so it is incumbent upon each of us to at some point come to terms with how we feel about death and what we believe about life after death, unless we live in profound apathy.

THE FINITUDE OF LIFE

The finitude of life is a reality that a great many people would rather avoid than confront and even some Christian leaders would rather speak about living our best life now than storing up treasures in heaven. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

After becoming a Christian in 1927, T.S. Elliott wrote six Ash Wednesday Poems, published in 1930. He portrays his new perspective of the brevity of life as, “Wavering between the profit and loss, in this brief transit where the dreams cross, the dream-crossed twilight between birth and dying.” When we contemplate life, we simply cannot escape how fleeting it actually is nor how little time we have. The apostle James wrote, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money,’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4: 13-14). 

For those who believe humanity has evolved, the end of a life isn’t very inspiring, nor is it something to look forward to. If this life is all we have, then a life well lived is a sign of wisdom, however when it’s over, no wealth can be taken beyond the grave. It has been said of those who live to become wealthy in this life but do not prepare for the afterlife, are wise for a day and fools for eternity. In 1 Corinthians 15:19, Paul asserts, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

Ignatius of Antioch lived from 35 A.D. until 107 A.D., was the Bishop of Antioch and wrote seven letters while being taken to Rome where he was martyred. He knew his life was nearing its end and his hope was not to escape death, but as a Christian he desired to be perceived a Christian….in his death. More than anything, he did not want the Church in Rome to intervene on his behalf to save him. Ignatius reasoned that to suffer for Christ and to die for Christ was of equal importance as to live for Christ. 

My mother’s final days were marked by her firm belief that she wanted to be with Christ, that she was ready to leave the world and by her steadfast resolve to expedite the process. She was tired of fighting and looked forward to what God had in store for her. It was a beautiful testimony to her faith.

Her mindset is reminiscent of the sentiments Paul expressed in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

OUR FINAL DAYS REVEAL THE TRUTH OF OUR HEARTS

Our final days reveal the truth of our hearts, expose the core of our being and our perspective regarding God. Everything is laid bare before our Creator in those moments. Honesty, integrity, sincerity, these are what God asks of you in your relationship with him. These are the attributes essential in any relationship if it is going to be successful. God asks no less of you than you would ask of your spouse or your children, your friends or business partners. 

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). What we contemplate in our minds, what we feel in our hearts, what we discuss with ourselves in our subconscious, these are the areas where Jesus wants us to surrender to him. Jesus declared, “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” (Matthew 23:26).

My mother had a servant’s heart. She spent her years serving her large family and extended family, putting the needs of everyone ahead of her own. She exemplified the nature Paul refers to in the second chapter of Philippians (verses 3-4): “Do nothing out of selfish ambition, or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13). My mother dedicated her life to serving others through love. She used the gifts God gave her to bless our family and always offered hospitality to those who sat at her table. Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10). My mother was a faithful steward.

Her hands blessed our family through her dedicated preparation of food and tender loving care. Proverbs 31:31 evokes respect for her discipline in motherhood, “Honor her for all her hands have done, and let her works bring praise at the city gate.” She left a legacy of honor to God.

OUR TIME ON EARTH IS SHORT

Our time on earth is short but it doesn’t have to be meaningless. We have a brief window of opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. This can begin in our own households and extend to vulnerable populations around us. Ephesians 5:15-16 advises us, “Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

While life may seem brief, fragile and frail, it is above all valuable and our earthly life is not the end but only the beginning. We were created to be eternal beings. Through Christ we can be reconciled to that purpose. We no longer have to live without hope, but with the promise of eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25). At the end of this life, we will step into eternity and our work will be over. What will we have to show for a lifetime of work on earth that will have value in heaven? 

We have one life to live on this earth. Is it possible to be saved and have eternal life and yet waste our earthly life? In Ephesians 2:10, Paul writes, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” In the same manner that Adam and Eve had work to do in the garden, all people are tasked with the intentional duty of living in the manner Christ epitomized.

What we do during our life on earth will resonate through eternity in heaven. We have an allotted span of time to do our life’s work here on earth, to pursue the calling God has delegated for us to complete. The brevity of life compels us to act and provokes purpose. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent Me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4).