Each year for our anniversary, my husband and I stay at our favorite inn, overlooking the Delaware River and Buck’s County. If you get up early enough, you might see a mist arising from the river. Not only that, but also arising from the canal behind the trees. It is so cool to see, but you can’t get up too late, or turn your eyes away for too long or you will miss the scene entirely.
As a young teenager, I attended a Christian summer camp, where there was a speaker who was a disabled man. A powerful speaker who, even though he spoke slowly and haltingly, had a huge impact on all of us. He talked about our life and what it meant, and how short it really was. I can still hear him struggling to get the words out, as he quoted James 4:14, 15 (KJV). Yet his faithfulness and enthusiasm shone through, and we were fixated on every word he stumbled over.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
It’s been too many years to remember exactly what he said from there, although I remember the theme of it and the impact it had. The scene has often played over again in my mind, while I am transported back to that question. What IS my life?
Recently, my sister became a maker for the My Intent project. She asked me what I wanted for my word, so she could make me a bracelet. I chose a phrase from the above Bible verse:
I want to remind myself of who I am, whose I am, and what is truly important. After all, life is fleeting, eternity is forever. My chance to do good, to be loving, to live as God intended, is now. I am not promised tomorrow. So I glance at my wrist and ask myself, if I knew today was my last day, what would I do differently?
Seeking God’s will is powerful stuff. I may fail, but I will keep on trying, especially with this visual reminder now attached to me.
Life is short and I want to make it count.
How about you? What verse has impacted your life the most and how? Please feel free to share with our community here.
~Carolyn
“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”
Hebrews (Part of) 13:5 “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.” (NIV)
He is with me always. Amen!!
Yes. Amen!
I love this. It’s so important to remember that time is short and sharing the love of Jesus is our job as believers. We must make the most of it.
You are so right, Tracy. Thank you.
Beautifully said, Sis. ?
Thank you for creating my visual reminder. :)
Jeremiah 29:11, 13. For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans for good and not evil; plans to give you a future and a hope. For they will seek me and I will LET them find Me.
For me, when things look uncertain as they do right now, this pulls me through and along. Thanks for sharing those beautiful God inspired pictures Carolyn.
Great verse. Hang in there through the struggle. God is faithful.
Thank you for the reminder. We don’t know if we have tomorrow. The mist illustrates that beautifully.
It is our pleasure to welcome Carolyn and Scott each year for their anniversary. God has blessed us with this wonderful property in the Delaware River Valley and we live and work to created a haven for others as it has been for us. What not share the beauty?
Yes, we are all fragile and life is seldom predictable. How wonderful to place our lives in His hands, our Saviour, and trust Him with every moment here on earth. My special scripture that I place in the beginning of each year’s prayer journal as a reminder is found in Psalm 73:26. “My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever!” One day I will draw my last breath and I will be absent from the body and present with the Lord, forever and ever. Eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Blessings, dear Carolyn, well written. See you soon God willing! Linda
Beautiful, Linda, just beautiful. Thank you.
John 10:10, which your sister tapped on my bracelet:)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Life is short and it is not easy. This verse says it all for me. We can’t allow the thief to take our lives. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us to live abundantly through Him, for Him and with Him. Not to have everything we want, but to enjoy life fully and know that no matter what, He is with us. And that we are all in this together through the struggles, hardships, devastations, jubilations, accomplishments and successes. Even a vapor has a purpose, I’m trying to pay close attention to what mine is in God’s Will for my life.
Thank you Carolyn for your beautiful and thought provoking writings.
Abundant life-now and even more for all eternity. Thank you, Ginny. I love that you wear that verse.