We’re given one lifetime to experience.
In 1960, an African might enjoy as much as 40 years from birth to death. By 1980, that had risen to about 50 years. Even in 2016, the average African lived to only 56 years.
One very short lifetime to experience.
At the same time, in Western Europe and North America, people lived for 67 years, 72 years, and 78 years, respectively, a third longer than people on the Dark Continent.
Does it matter? we should ask ourselves. The answer is definitively yes, if we believe this life is all we get. For the rest of us, this life is a preparatory school, one where we live to learn, so that when we die, we can move on to a better place. The number of our years here don’t count. What we do with them does.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 offers the suffering solace:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”
Our hope comes from Christ. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us:
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
For, you see, God is keeping track. He knows us when we’re awake, and he knows when we’re sleeping. He knows if we’ve been good or bad, and he has all the power. Hebrews 9:27 clarifies the argument of what happens when we leave this life:
“And… it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”
There is no worry for those who place their hope in Christ. 1 John 1:9 assures us:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God awaits us with his outstretched hand. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals the loving heart of our almighty God:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
We are given this life to experience and hopefully enjoy. However, we have another one ahead of us that will be in the spirit. It will be a life to die for, one filled with the awesome presence of our Master and King.
Life’s fulfillment isn’t about the number of years we have to spend, but rather how we spend the number of years we have.
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