It’s October. Locust leaves fell like snow from the trees yesterday. The furnace kicked on last night. Just before drifting into sleep I meditated on one of the beautiful “harvest passages” of the Bible:
“In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Act 14:16-17 ESV)
It’s that time of the year again.
I often write on the brevity of autumn as an analogy of life. Our lives are swift as a sunset, brief as an autumn day and it is a good idea to keep that in mind. Good things happen when we pray what I like to call the “Prayer of Moses” “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
This time of the year is time for reflection. One of the things to think about is the swift-passing of the years. When I think of that I realize that I cannot afford waste time.
Your life is too short to wait to live. How rude and thoughtless to squander the Father’s good gifts.
Your life is too short to wait to love. Love you wife, your husband, you children, your parents, your grandparents, your neighbor, your enemy while you can. It will only be a few days and we won’t have them to love anymore. (Hebrews 12:7)
Your life is too short to nurse your hurts or curse your circumstances. Life is to short to withhold forgiveness. Life is too short, don’t waste it in bitterness. “.. forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake – ” (Ephesians 4:32)
Your life is too short for to carry the burden of past sin. Allow evil to be unrestrained in your life will destroy you, cripple you, deform you and damage relationships that are dear to you.
Your life is too short for empty things. Satan will be happy to ruin your life with things that seem innocent but are not your best use of time.
Your life is too short to keep the gospel to yourself – Love people, tell people, invite people to Jesus. You don’t know how long you have. Who are you loving right now? Who are you telling right now? Who are you praying for right now?
When the furnace kicks on in the night this week –
When you see the birds forming and going south –
When you see the farmers hurrying to the grain elevator like squirrels to their tree –
When you see the leaves blowing down and the trees becoming bare –
– Remember one of the most powerful and oft repeated lessons in the Bible –
Life is short. Sun is setting, leaves are falling – . Do it now. Our lives are as swift as a sunset and brief as an autumn day.
For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. (Psa 90:4-6 ESV)
O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah. Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psa 39:4-7 ESV)
Ken Pierpont
Brook Place
Hinsdale, Illinois
October 9, 2006
Great job, Ken. I miss you. I love you all very much and hope we can see you soon.
Wonderful thoughts.
This post was a great reminder to me. Thanks! I’m going to pass along the link if you don’t mind, and I’m certain you don’t as you see this as part of your ministry!
I once heard Billy Graham at a crusade in NC in the last decade say that the thing that surprised him most about life was its brevity.
Amen and amen. I visited on Emily’s ‘posted link’ (thank you, Emily!!) and am very glad I did.
Mrs. K