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By Rev Don Rivers
We grow accustomed to our surroundings, certain things always being there. We enjoy the company of family and friends. We plan and look forward to certain days and events in the future with great anticipation. We overlook the fragile nature of life. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This past weekend we commemorated the passing of a Modified legend, Carl “Bugs” Stevens at Seekonk Speedway. His exploits behind the wheel of a Modified were legendary. He was also known to play a practical joke or two. You knew when he was around. He had a presence that was noticed. We will miss that.
As his family gathered at the start finish line to say a final farewell, his daughters waved the green and checkered flag as the legendary #3 Modified, driven by his son Dave, circled the track with his ashes for one final lap, their emotions and loss were evident. Although he lived 90 years, his presence would be missed.
No matter when our time here comes to an end there will be tears, evidence of how fragile life is. When we are young we take things for granted, we risk the precious gift we have been given, we act like we will live forever. We grow wiser as the years go on and the finality of the end reminds us that we are only here for a short time. This life is fragile and we would do well to handle it with care.
It is human nature to think we have all the time in the world when the end seems so far in the distance. When we plan and look forward our thought is we have plenty of time. We hope, plan, and look to the days ahead, the things we will do and the places we will go. Trouble is the future is veiled by the unknown, we don’t know how many tomorrows we have. We don’t hold the keys to tomorrow, God does.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, Soloman, possessed wisdom, a gift from God and he sought out how he could secure tomorrow. He concluded it wasn’t possible, any endeavor to secure with certainty our presence here on Earth was chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14; NLT; I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.
He also discovered things change, there is a season for every activity under the sun. We need to realize that what we pursue today will not always be what we pursue tomorrow.
Ecclesiastes 3:1; NLT; For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
We would do well to focus on the things that matter in this life, God, Family, Others and then ourselves. We do get things out of order and we elevate ourselves to the top of the list and God to the bottom. It is in those times that we fail to see how fragile this life is.
When we focus so much energy on pursuit of our happiness we fail to take into consideration the damage that does to the relationships around us. We rationalize that we can pursue what we want and then, when we attain it and are secure, we will pursue the other things, like family, friends and God. God did not create us to live life that way. When we come to our senses, the reality is there may not be time left to pursue the things that really have value.
There is a time in each of our lives when that realization happens, when we come to the understanding that what we have been pursuing is “like chasing after the wind”. My hope and prayer is that we come to that point sooner than later. That we realize, while there is still time left in our life, to truly make a difference in someone else’s life.
James 4:13-16; NLT; Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Understanding how fragile life is a first step. Realizing that we can do nothing to lengthen the days appointed to us is another. We cannot waste the days we have in the pursuit of selfish ambition, that is not right. We need to spend the time given to us in the pursuit of God and allow Him to direct our path.
There are many places in His Word where we are commanded and directed to acknowledge Him in all things and He will guide us on the right path. When we understand who holds the future and knows the days ahead, it will be best for us to seek him out and allow him to guide our journey.
Jerimiah 29:11-13; NLT; For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
To find the most abundant and fulfilling life we need to seek God first. He has a plan for each of us. A good plan. A plan to give us hope and a future. But we think we know better. We make decisions and plans thinking we are doing well. We will have what we need to make a good life for ourselves. The truth remains we don’t know what tomorrow holds for each of us. Life is fragile.
James 4:14; NLT; How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
Let me encourage us to embrace the fact that life is fragile. Spend time pursuing things that will matter for eternity. We need to get things in the right order, God, Others and then us.
Isaiah 55:6; NLT; Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
