One Step Away

One Step Away 

Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good. They slip by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops on its prey (Job 9:25-26) 

 We are born, live for a few short years and then comes the day when our earthly tent is torn down and our eternal spirit returns to God who gave it (2 Cor. 5:1; Eccl. 12:6-7). Thus far on our pilgrimage on this side of eternity, I venture to say that we have enjoyed a measure of success, happiness, joy, peace and contentment. At the same time, it is safe to say that we have also experienced times when our soul was filled with failure, sorrow, heartache and disappointment. Truly, on this journey of life, we have climbed to the mountain tops of victory and we have walked through the valley of despair. I know not how you feel about this but as for me, my life has, even with all its ups and downs, been a wonderful journey thus far.    

Today these words spoken long ago by Job are a stark reminder to me of how quickly the days of this earthly life seem to pass by. The days of my youth have so quickly slipped away and now I find myself an old man patiently waiting with hope and expectation filling my heart for the day when I will fold up this earthly tent and fly away to live forever in that dwelling place where all things have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:1-9; John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3-5). 

One day we are so strong physically and mentally, vibrant, full of energy and it seems as if nothing can stop us. But then, all too quickly we grow older and our strength fades considerably and we don't remember things as well as we once did. Aches and pains often take over our body making the day long and night weary. We see our friends and loved ones slip silently away into eternity and suddenly we begin to realize how brief our sojourn on earth really is (Psalms 90:10; James 4:14). 

As we continue our walk down the pathway of life, we do not know what lies ahead of us as it relates to our earthly existence. The future for us is an uncertain one but one thing we can be sure of, if we keep God in our life, allowing Him to direct our steps, our future will be safe and secure not only in this life but the life to come as well (2 John 3:1-3; Isa. 12:2-3; 2 Sam. 22:2-3; Psalms 62:5-8; Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:8-9). It is pure joy to have that closer walk with the Lord. 

It is imperative that we understand how quickly the days of this earthly life are passing (Psalms 90:10; James 4:13-15). The days of our life will soon be gone and we will fly away. When will this be? I don't know and neither do you. I do know that reservation has already been made (Heb. 9:27) and it will not be too long until this short life will come to an end. Enjoy your life today and every day for so long as you live but as you do so, make absolutely sure that you include plans for the eternity that is to come when your life here ends. It does not matter how old or how young you may be in terms of years, that day is closer than you may want to think about (1 Sam. 20:3). 

Charles Hicks