squander

the bible uses several metaphors to remind us how short our life is here on earth.  our days on earth are described as a puff of smoke, a fog, a mist, and a vapor.  the psalmist hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “i am here on earth for just a little while” (psalm 119:19).  every week (recently) I find myself telling Mary “wow, this week just flew by”.  i look at my daughter Hannah and it seems like yesterday she was born (but it was over a decade ago).  i look at a picture from high school (admiring my awesome mullet and how good of shape i was in) and it hits me - that was more than 20 years ago.  I’m reconnecting with friends on facebook that i have not talked to for countless years.  I’m approaching my 16th wedding anniversary.  I’m seeing more and more grey hairs appear.  i actually have some wrinkles now.  in 10.5 years i will be 50 - life is moving at the speed of light for me.  this all may have something to do with the book we gave everyone in our church recently (one month to live).  i think we all need a wake up call to make sure we are fully alive - living life passionately and with purpose.  psalm 39:4 needs to be our prayer, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeing away.”  never forget (that as followers of christ) we are on this planet as aliens, foreigners and pilgrims.  this world is not our home.  each day we must focus on why we are here and do what God wants us to do - to love Him, love others and bring a message of hope and forgiveness to those around us.  Paul (in 2 Corinthians 6:1) wrote, “i beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given you.”