photos by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE
Who comes to mind when you think of someone who lived not only a long life, or a healthy life, but a significant life? We’re talking about a life well lived.
I can recall a few in my life and throughout history that fit the bill. But, let’s go wayyyyy back for a minute. What about Moses? Surely, he lived a long, healthy, significant life! (Stay with me – this has EVERYTHING to do with you!)
Don’t you find it interesting that when Moses found himself at the end of his days, he STILL talked about how incredibly brief it all was? He pens these final words before checking out: “Lord, help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set Your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept Your correction.” (Ps 90: 12)
Moses sounds absolutely shellshocked, as if He’s thinking, “I’m already at the end?!”
Surely the days felt long at times, but the years zipped by at lightning speed. He’s wondering how in the world he is right on top of the finish line when it feels like he should have been starting the second lap!
Does anyone relate?
This larger-than-life leader also reflects upon those seasons in which he veered from the wisdom set before him, insisting on his own way, then realized he should have listened to the ONLY WISE ONE in the first place! (I feel that in the deep places of my soul. Oh, the moments we waste every time we ignore God’s leading so that we can momentarily take the wheel, so sure our idea is better.)
Moses continues as he’s about to breathe his last, “ONLY YOU, Lord, can satisfy our hearts, filling us with songs of joy to the end of our days.” (Ps. 90: 14b)
As he recalled accolades and accomplishments he chased, Moses quickly, profoundly realizes that ONLY GOD HIMSELF fills and fulfills our deepest longings. Everything else will eventually matter about as much as an umbrella in a monsoon.
Life is so brief, yet we live each day like we have a thousand other ones guaranteed. It sounds cliché, and we hear it so often it passes right by us. But, I counsel so many folks who live with deep regret. It haunts them. It hounds them. It stifles their capacity to believe they can start again right where they are.
Friend, wherever you are, you have the opportunity THIS VERY DAY to change gears! You can alter your direction. TODAY, Y’ALL!
Your days are short and shortening by the minute. How you started, even how you have arrived at this moment, does not have the power to determine how you end. But only YOU can change course! Nobody else can do it for you!
You may need to let go of some things and some people to get where you’re wanting to go. That’s unsettling. But, it is not nearly as unsettling as standing at the end wishing you had.
Let THIS DAY be the day that you let THE ONLY WISE ONE take the lead! You’ll live satisfied and leave a significant mark that matters beyond you! I’m absolutely sure of it!
Listen, friend. You’ll STILL probably get to the end and wonder how the years disappeared like vapor into thin air! (It goes sooooo quick!) But, you will know that you made a difference. You will know your generations are better because you lived in such a way that your ceiling became their floor! Don’t waste another day! For comments or prayer, please contact Dr. Lanier at HopeCommunityChurch.tv.
