LIVING!

The last time I’d seen him was about a decade ago. A strapping young man, full of vim, and brimming with vigor. He used to write songs. We used to sing together. We went to church together. I was fixture in his folks’ house. (Free food—especially the banana pudding!) Many are the fond memories of Sunday afternoons well-spent, with laughter, song, and God. Mr. and Mrs. C in Houston have been—and still are—a blessing to me.

I had a chance to spend a night at their home a few days ago. Vic was there, back from East Coast where he now lives.

He is still strapping, vigorous, and vimmed out to the max. And still given over to God and His work. But not so young anymore … like me! A devoted husband, and a proud father. (Unlike me!!) A few—just a few—less keratinous appendages on his scalp. (Unlike me, again!!! These aforementioned fixtures on my dome are still plentiful, though I confess they are developing a distressing tendency to blanch from the shock of transatlantic travel. Or perhaps it is my JIF diet?)

Appendages disappear (or whiten). Life and limb weaken. Recollection and remembrance fade. It is downhill after the first breath outside the womb. C’est la vie. Things change. Cycles circle. Phases pass. And life goeth on.

One wonders at the bewildering pace of it all. Where has all the time gone? Kids are born and they’re off to college. We commence work and its time to retire. It’s all a blur.

Moses pondered out aloud about that long ago in a psalm he wrote.

As for the days of our life,
they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10

That venerable leader was clear that the “emptiness” of life is the consequence of the Fall and the resultant judgment upon mankind by God. This was not the way it was supposed to be. The yearning for what might have been, and ought to have been (and, praise God, what will be) is palpable in his words.

Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?
O satisfy us in the morning
with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy
and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:12–14

There is an emptiness of soul, a thirst for the inexpressible, a desire in our hearts—that only God can fill, satisfy, and grant. And fill and satisfy and grant, He certainly will. One day. Soon. We shall enjoy the very presence of God.

But Moses is equally clear that that soon-coming day of Lord should prompt us to live our lives here on earth for God—wisely.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You
a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

A heart of wisdom. To live wisely. For God. For His glory. In all that we say, do, and think. As Vic is doing. And his folks. May we all.

Therefore be careful how you walk,
not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time,
because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15–16

And how shall we walk? Even in these trying days, troubling days, tiring days, Peter urges us to live as Christ did, even through suffering.

… so as to live
the rest of the time
in the flesh [on earth]
no longer for the lusts of men,
but for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:2

Serving him. Wisely. Because the days are short. Thank God!