PSALM 103 : 14-18
14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Last week I was doing some pastoral home visits as I do from time to time. One of my stops was at the home of a 92 year old man who was recovering from a knee replacement. We sat and talked for a while before he had to leave for a follow up appointment at the doctors office. We talked about farming, his late wife, who’s funeral I officiated last year, and his first job working as an apprentice mechanic for a man he considered “the best mechanic around”. It was absolutely one of the best moments of my week. Truthfully I consider this man a personal hero of faith, and I felt privileged for the opportunity to hear his stories as I visited. It was one of those moments where the pastor that was supposed to be doing the ministering was actually ministered to. Whether he knew it or not, my 92 year old friend gave me an opportunity to slow down and remember the most important things about life. This man who had been married for 72 years and working the same career for 76 years, gave me a moment to pause and reflect on things I want to be remembered for. The truth is that all of us will have a day where we will breathe our final breath on this earth. This life is not eternal and things that we do and accomplish will fade away with us. The only things that endure for eternity are those which are rooted in God’s love. Let me say it again, one day you will die, leave this earth and be transported to your eternal destination. The only thing about your life here that will remain as your legacy, are the things that reveal the heart of our loving Father in Heaven. Everything else will be forgotten and buried under the dust of history. That should really bring clarity and priority into our lives. That should cause us to do some personal decluttering. That should cause me to pause and ask the Lord to reveal the idols and efforts in my life that I am building in vain. While at the same time cause me to double down and fight for the rich eternal things in life that really matter. Like my marriage, my children, my devotion to Jesus and His bride. It seems easy to do, focus on what's eternal, stop doing what is temporal. Simple right? The only problem is that my flesh, like all of ours, is helplessly addicted to the self gratification of pursuing the temporal things of this life. Thank God, He helps us in our weakness! Thank God, He is committed to building His kingdom and letting His love flow through us. When we say yes to His life, He begins to unclutter ours. Though this is a rare and often ostracized lifestyle in a culture like ours. The world promotes and celebrates pride, egotism and a dog eat dog performance. Worldly success often feels rewarding in short spurts but is a path that always leads to self destruction. I am determined to see my life end up like my 92 year old friend. I want to live a life rooted in the eternal, I want to live a legacy the Lord can pass to my grandchildren and their grandchildren long after I leave this life and enter into the cloud of witness to worship Jesus. Testifying for eternity that His way though hard sometimes while on earth is worth living and dying for.
Love,
Pastor John
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