I seem to realize more and more just how short life really is.
The changing of the seasons, illness, cancer, death, accidents, age, time-usage, friendships growing deeper, and friendships becoming forgotten, natural disasters, war, evil, the weakness and fragility of my own body...
These are all worldly reminders that shout out to me: Life is short.
Find the thing(s) that really matter and pursue them whole-heartedly
while you still can.
(This sparks a search for objective truth and meaning which I have found in the all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ)
The brevity of life becomes increasingly apparent
the more we ponder and consider it. If we choose to ignore it, we live in a dangerous state of passivity. A life of self-deception and comfort.
Not choosing to consider the brevity of life leads to a wasted life - one centered around meaningless and useless things.
It is this concept, conjugated with James 4:14, that has led me to begin a new series here on Cranial Collision.
"Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." (James 4:13-17. NIV)
In the New American Standard translation of the Bible - considered one of the most literal and direct English translations in existence - Jame 4:14 reads as follows:
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines a vapor as something that is barely visible or cloudy diffused matter, such as mist, fumes, or smoke, suspended in the air. Or, more importantly and applicable to this passage, a vapor is defined as something that is insubstantial or fleeting.
This is where the inspiration for this new series comes from. Scripture with the real life application and realization of the shortness and fragility of life coupled with the desire and means to make the most of the the days that we have to live.
Over the coming weeks and months, there will be a series of ten to twenty posts on Cranial Collision reflecting on this topic: life as a vapor. Part of the inspiration for the articles will come from a book authored by John Piper, published in 2004, titled Life as a Vapor in which he highlights and emphasizes the brevity of life in regard to making the most of one's life through Biblical knowledge and application.
I highly recommend purchasing and reading a copy of the book, especially seeing as it can be acquired via Amazon.com
for mere pocket change (pocket change to many of us with "American-sized" wealth).
(Click the photo to go to Amazon.com book-page)
Even without such a book, I hope that you will choose to use this series of posts on Cranial Collision as a resource that will encourage you to observe, think, and consider the brevity and shortness of life. It is my hope, also, that the thoughts shared and presented through these articles would motivate you to live a more meaningful and purpose-filled life in order to make the most of the brief moments that we have here on this Earth.
~AJ Heil
Thank you, AJ, for the reminder...that our days are numbered...by the Lord and they are but a vapor, yet a gift to use wisely for His purposes.
I am thrilled that this post could serve as a reminder to you and also as a way for you to calibrate your thoughts and time on the Lord and His purposes.
Thanks for commenting!
The first time I read this a tenseness started in my chest. Sometimes it is hard to think about how our time is limited. We have such a responsibility to use our time well, and I know that I often fall short of doing so. I know my shortcomings are where grace comes in, and yet it is important for us to use wisely the opportunities God has given us to live for Him.
Wow, I'm really looking forward to reading this series. I've been struggling with some things in regards to plans and life lately, and I've been thinking alot about the scripture from James quoted above.
Bring it AJ!
Greg, Sometimes life/circumstances take us in directions we never imagined or 'planned for'. So the verses from James are very appropriate.
But God is still on His throne 'working all things together for good to those who love Him'.
:)