I have lost many earthly identities this year.
Wife
My youngest child finished high school.
Mom of a school aged child, gone.
This made me pause and wonder where the time went.
My kids grew up so fast, gone into adulthood.
My husband’s cancer took him into eternity, way too soon.
Time is a commodity.
Psalm 103: 15 -17, Reminds us of the shortness of life.
“As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children…”
God’s time is eternal. We may have a limited amount on earth, but we are gaining time in our eternal home.
Looking at my earthly life through the lenses of eternity, most of life is trivial. My earthly identities might have changed this year. My Godly identity hasn’t nor will God’s love for me ever change.
I have wrapped my identity into my job, kids, husband, church, into my works. Works are important for advancing the kingdom but with works sometimes comes pride.
No matter what title I may carry, my identity is the same.
I need to be reminded God loves every person.
People either have an identity in Christ or they are lost.
How do I love someone today? What am I doing to help someone gain more time in heaven? Am I content with just focusing on earthly time and busyness, missing kingdom opportunities?
Do I love the lost?
As Christians we are called to love. We are called to be lights in the darkness. What if we use our job as a mission field by being different, demonstrating the fruits of the spirit, if we raise our children with Christ’s love, demonstrating the walk, if we love our partners, the way Christ loved us, if we tip extra, practice patience in lines, smile, have a joyful spirit…
Our actions in love speak volumes to non believers.
Time is such a commodity and the choice is ours in how we use it.
Prayer for today:
Thank you Lord for the gift of time. Keep me focused on your love showing others the love you have for us. Please don’t let me get bogged down with daily demands. I don’t want to be too busy to realize who you are and what my time should be used for. In Jesus name, Amen.
Reminds me of the motto my grandparents always had hanging on their wall:
Only one life, Twill soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Those words have directed my life.
Love the words, what a great saying to pass down.