Lord, make me aware of my end and the number of my days so that I will know how short-lived I am. In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah
Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools.
Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears.
-David, Psalm 39
Not long ago, I was having a really hard day that was made public and many people reached out to me, asking “How are you?” They offered prayers and encouragement, but I didn’t really know how to answer… then the Lord spoke. He blended the memory of my son’s birthday with the inspired Word from the thirty-ninth Psalm. David was low and felt the pain of difficult relationships, yet he prayed that God would help him guard his words. He was tempted to be overwhelmed by this earthly struggle, but God revealed to him how short that life really is. He concluded that this life is only a vapor, a shadow… mere inches on a timeline of eternity! Yet what did he need to do? Wait. Just stop and wait and pray and trust.
This life is so short… too short to waste. So how do we make the most of it?
By waiting. Yes, waiting on God, hoping in God, trusting in God.
I know that sounds counter-intuitive. Normally, most people would follow ‘Life is short’ with ‘go, hurry, run!’ But God presents a different reality: this life is NOT all there is. There’s more going on than what you see. There’s more happening than what you feel. There’s more at stake than what you first thought. The inches of this life will eternally impact the rest of your existence. So stop. Wait on God. Hope in God. Trust Him. Quit trusting in your judgment alone. Stop feeling secure in your job and bank balance. Stop hoping in the temporary things of this earth.
This life is not all there is.
There’s more going on that what you see.
A day later, on my son, Aaron’s, eighth birthday. Just before bedtime, we sat him down at the kitchen table, singing to him, about to present him with a gift. He sat, surrounded by his loving family, full of joy and life… waiting with a grin. He didn’t know what was next but he knew it would be good. He trusted that he has good parents who wanted to give him good gifts. He wasn’t nervous or tense. He waited patiently, smiling the entire time.
Let’s BOUNCE BACK
In this phase of life, you’ve been set down at the table. Look around and you’ll see people who love you, full of joy and life… and you’re waiting with a grin. I don’t know what’s next but I know it’s going to be good! Will you trust that you have a good Father who wants to give you good gifts. So there’s no need to be nervous or tense (mostly!). Let’s go forward, dwelling in hope… won’t you join me?!