Chance Of A Lifetime
During a time of quiet and stillness, as I was enjoying the peace and fullness of blessing I am privileged to have in my day, I realized it may be short lived. This might be the last chance to rock in this chair with good weather. Today could be the last day this grass is green. These birds may not come here tomorrow. The sunrise will most likely be different and the world as I know it could change vastly five seconds from now.
I had to wonder, who woke up today with a horrible phone call? What mother is laying her child to rest today, when just a few days ago they were happy and healthy? How do I know that I will get to rest comfortably in my bed tonight? Was last night the last time I will dance a waltz? Have I eaten my last crawfish or driven home safely for the last time? Did I miss the last opportunity to tell someone how I feel about them?
Thrice this week I've been challenged to submit. As I realize this, I also know it's not a challenge that I can choose not to take. I've been convicted-brought about to face the fact that somehow, I have not fully released myself to God. Oh sure, I ask Him to use me for His glory. I ask Him to guide and orchestrate my day...but do I fully allow that? Today I know He's going to be asking me in a very profound way to be obedient and to forget my wants and focus on my "needs". My "needs" will become my "have-to's". There won't be choice of later, or tomorrow, it'll be right now. My choice of how to deal with what I'm convicted will be a choice of a lifetime. What will I do...?
In this moment, I can easily say, "I will one hundred percent trust you God! Your will be done in and through me because I know YOU will be there with me. You will lead me through it! Even carry me when I can't go on anymore. I trust you to hold my hand as we face this together and I will look forward to how you bless the end result" but what if I don't say that when the time really comes? What if I'm caught off guard? Perhaps I'm in the middle of something important! How about if I'm busy in sin even! What will I say then-"Hang on a sec God, I'll get right to that." "Wait! I'm not ready God!" or "NO! You can't do that to me God!".
As I type this, I'm sitting on my quiet porch; a cool, spring breeze is blowing. The birds are singing, the sheep are chewing their cud and my old Labrador is snoring on a blanket beside me. My bare feet rock the comfortable chair I'm sitting in and the wifi is working well. For some reason I know this could all change in the next millisecond. Am I ready for any and every thing? I always say I'm ready to go, but what if my passing includes the passing of someone I love? What if it only comes after much suffering? Will there be challenges and sacrifices that proceed my passing? I don't know.
It may not be healthy to consider these things every moment of every day, but being as prepared as possible is important. My kids didn't plan to come home to a destroyed house after a tornado whipped through and tore it apart 7-8 years ago. I didn't plan to have a child hospitalized for 4 1/2 months. No one plans to have police officers knock on their door with the heavy news they often have to deliver.
Life can change in the blink of an eye, and that's not just a quirky saying. Life is real, it is in no way like the movies. It doesn't get wrapped up in two hours with a nifty ending and a round of applause, it is unpredictable and at risk of major upheaval at any time.
You can write your own ending though-Get right with God. Seal that deal. Then pray you're as ready as you can be for what happens next, and hang on tight; it's likely to be a bumpy ride.
Ecclesiastes 9: 10-12 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (11) I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (12) For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them."
BACF translation: Don't put off till tomorrow what needs to be done today. Nothing you have, nothing you've done matters when your time on earth is done. Don't get caught as a child of the devil because death comes suddenly.
Don't miss your chance of a lifetime. Say what needs to be said, share what needs to be shared. Do what needs to be done.
