There is nothing like the reminder of death or the decaying of our own bodies to shine a spotlight on our mortality.  Nothing like the sands of time to bring perspective.  Even now my son turns twelve and my mind drifts to the not so distant future when we will be saying good byes as he enters college.  Life is short.  King David, who seemingly had everything, was right in saying, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:2).  Or perhaps Psalm 139:16 holds more encouraging words, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”



What we learn is simple to understand, not so simple to put into practice.

Among other things, we learn that God has already ordained that our lives will end.  Our heart will stop beating and no longer will we enjoy this present age.    However, this truth should not cause us to embrace the natural inclination of our heart: Suck the marrow out of this life…because this is all there is.”  To know our lives will end should not embolden us to live it recklessly for ourselves, but with a risk that will bring life and light to those in death and darkness.  This is the Apostle Paul’s idea in 2 Corinthians 4:11-12  “For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake.  For His life is being revealed in our mortal bodies.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”  In other words, your life in this world is a testimony of joy found in the life to come, not in this present age.  This life will end.  So live it well, rooted in grace, sustained by his joy.