"Your Life Is A Vapor"

LORD, make me to know my end,
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am. Ps 39:4-5

Last Wednesday we learned that an old friend, Dr. Randy Sorensen, died suddenly of a heart attack. Randy was only 51 and left behind a shocked wife and two grieving teenage daughters. A distinguished professor of clinical psychology, he was at the peak of his career and, arguably, his life. In testament to the impact he had on others over a thousand people showed up for his memorial service this last Saturday.

Still pondering how it is that one so young and vibrant could pass away so quickly and without any warning, I received a call one day later informing me that a colleague at work, I'll call her Sharon to protect the family's privacy, died suddenly that afternoon -- also of a heart attack -- while on a leisurely bicycle ride with her husband and fourteen year old son. Like Randy, Sharon too was in her early fifties and at the peak of her life. I had enjoyed a holiday banquet at her home this last December and Sharon was the picture of health and vitality.

Two friends in the same week, both about the same age as I, suddenly cutoff from the living. From what I know, neither Randy nor Sharon had any idea whatever that the day they died would be any different than the one before. To all appearances both were summoned before the Judge of the Universe with absolutely no forewarning, there to give an account of their lives. It is a sober reality.

The Bible says that God fashioned our days for us before we were born (Ps 103:15-17). For some he “fashions’ many days, a long life. But there is no guarantee. Life is a storm. The tempest rises, the veil descends and the end of life on earth is suddenly upon us. As difficult as it is to watch one’s friends see death, it is good to be reminded that eternity knocks. Like Randy and Sharon, our time will come, and may come sooner than we think. I pray I am ready. I pray you are too.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting on those who fear Him. Ps 103:15-17

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Rom 10:8-13

May you call on Him today, while you still have time!