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Having the promise of life that now is and of that which is to come. -- I Timothy 4:8b
A short time before Rush Limbaugh died, he was talking about life on his radio program. He was asking some of the hard, mysterious questions that many people don't like to think about. Questions like, "where does life come from, and who gives it? When does it begin and when does it end?"
Here are a few phrases from the definition of life from the Webster's Dictionary of 1828. "In a general sense, that state of animals and plants, or of an organized being, in which its natural functions and motions are performed, or in which its organs are capable of performing their functions. In man, that state of being in which the soul and body are united."
In Scripture, to be spiritually minded is life and peace. If we do not have the Spirit, we are dead even while we live. In Genesis 2:7 it says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and he became a living being."
When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, death entered into creation in a new way, and man began to die physically. As soon as we are born, we begin our journey toward the grave.
The Highway of Life
The highway of life extends in one direction
Through what we call time
A moment past is a moment gone
Never to be regained
If there is anything certain about life, it is trouble, hardship, death, and taxes.
If all this is true, then what kind of people should we be, how should we treat others on the highway of life? An older gentleman once told me to come and visit him while he is still alive. Because when he dies and is laid in the casket, my presence and conversation would mean nothing to him!
All the flowers around the casket are meaningless and of no value to the person who has died. They are simply a sign of our love, care, and respect to the family members who are alive. Maybe we should send flowers to those we love while they are still alive. Then they can see the beauty, smell the fragrance, and cherish the thought that we care enough to remember them in this small way.
Some time ago, I received an email from a gentleman that I knew as a child. He had an interest in the material I was producing. He also suggested that my brother and I join him for breakfast sometime and we could share our lives with each other. We didn't take advantage of his offer soon enough. Within a short period of time, I was informed that he had passed away. The window of opportunity was no longer there; the fellowship was no longer possible.
Are we busy in the hustle and bustle of life, chasing money, material gain, and pleasure? Maybe we should stop long enough to consider a slight change in our priorities. Around 1970, Mamma Cass Elliot came out with a pop song entitled, "Don't let the good life pass you by." Here are a few of the phrases from that song.
Did you ever lie and listen to the rainfall?
Did you ever own a homemade apple pie?
Did you ever watch a child while he was prayin'?
Just don't let the good life pass you by.
Did you ever hold a hand to stop its tremblin'?
Did you ever watch the sun desert the sky?
Did you ever hold a woman while she's sleepin'
Friend don't let the good life pass you by.
So here's my closing thought; are we going to be a blessing and encouragement to others? Are we going to use the opportunities that God gives us to help, serve, and encourage, others? The window of opportunity will not always be there. Let's not let the good life pass us by!
Comments or questions, contact me at: thoughtsonword@gmail.com
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.