Having become a grandfather I find once again that the pleasure of seeing a young child grow and develop is fascinating. From an early age their character begins to be seen and a young child has mannerisms and expressions that are endearing. But they also exhibit not so pleasant characteristics and they need to learn discipline and be brought up in such a way that they learn how to control and overcome ‘bad behaviour’. We have all been though that stage of life and become adults. Yet in the sight of God we are but children, we need to learn the discipline of the scriptures to overcome human nature and sin. Just imagine the scene when a young child comes to their grandfather and asks the question “What have you done with your life Granddad?’
Looking back over your life, what would you answer? For most of us life has been generally mundane, no great achievements, we have not risen to high renown as statesman, actor, athlete or written great literary works. History will not remember us, nor do many in this life know of us. Our achievements have only been for ourselves. If honesty wins out many of the cares, worries, strife and achievements were really insignificant and gained nothing lasting. They were at best transient success and all joy from achievement turned into something commonplace.
What has ones life been all about? What has its furious pace, its sorrows and joys achieved? Where have those years gone from joy at birth, to watching growth of children, to their marriage and now to this young child asking ‘What have you done with life? What would you answer?
Consider what James wrote:
“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.” James 4:13-14
What is your life? It is but a mist that when the wind blows it passes away. O how easy it is to plan our lives, to strive for security and plan for old age, yet nothing is certain and our lives can be snuffed out at anytime. James puts it into perspective saying:
“Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:15
‘If it is the Lord’s will’; that should be our overriding thought in all things, His will, His Kingdom, His glory. Regarding our reliance upon Yahweh Paul comments that ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’ Acts 17:28. We are totally and utterly dependant upon Yahweh who supplies all that is needful. So in answer to the question ‘what is your life’ the answer is: life is not my own, it belongs to Yahweh who gave it.
We have no claim to life, no right to live; each only lives because of Yahweh’s will, mercy and love. Each has only one purpose for which to use that life as Ecclesiastes tells us: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
With this perspective in mind, then far from a life in which Yahweh takes second place to the cares of life, our Creator will take first place. The more we read the scriptures and learn of His ways, the more our love will grow for the Truth and the more we will be zealous to live a life pleasing to Him.
There can never be any artificial divide between the principles of the Truth and the practice of the Truth; the two aspects are inextricably entwined. David prayed that God would teach him to number his days aright that he might gain a heart of wisdom. [Psa 90:12] That lesson of numbering our days aright is one that we also must learn. We came into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing. So what is our life?
Jesus expounded a basic truth in the phrase “ whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
It was Jesus who also said “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” Luke 9:23-24.
God gives each day of our life. With this in mind as we awaken to each new day, surely our hearts will be filled with thankfulness for that new day of life. Each new day is a gift from God. Thus each day presents a clear decision, take up the cross, deny self and follow that narrow path to life. Jesus described himself as ‘the way the truth and the life’. He literally denied himself, he literally took up the cross, and he literally laid down his life. Two paths of life lay before us, the broad path that is easy to follow, that gives pleasure now and satisfies present desire. The other path is narrow, hard to follow and involves giving up many things now. However the first path leads to certain death, the second path to life. The one who seeks to save his present life will ultimately lose life. The one who is willing to forgo the desires of human nature and put Yahweh first will ultimately find the vista of eternal life opening out in front of them.
So what is your life? Paul was certain of his life:
“For me to live is Christ” Phil 1:21
“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me.” Gal 2:20
“They which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again.” 2Cor 5:14-15
Paul’s motivation was appreciation of divine principles and love for Yahweh and the Lord Jesus. If Yahweh had given his only begotten son that whosoever should believe in him might have life and if Christ had laid down his life, if Paul had been shown mercy when he deserved death, how could he not respond? If a choice was to be made Paul chose what Christ would want. If there were places to go, Paul chose such places, as Christ would walk. Where people were to be met, Paul chose the words of Christ to speak to them. Whatever the situation, whatever the burden, whatever the trial, Paul chose to fellowship the sufferings of Christ and to go outside the camp with him.
The satisfaction from self-fulfillment will fade, achievements will pass and desire fail. Ambition, status, work, achievement, pursuit of pleasure will fill the mind and warm the heart for a season. But they will long pass away and be forgotten, mouldering back into dust. So what is your life? It is a gift from Yahweh. It is a time of grace in which opportunity exists to seek Him who is your life. Life is a short period of time in which to “know the Lord your God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent”, through whom you can find real life.
So then what answer would you give to your grandchild when they ask ‘what have you done with your life?’ May it be that for all a moment of reflection will give the answer:
‘I have learned to know God. I have learned what pleases Him. I have always tried to obey Him. I have fought the good fight and I long for that crown of life promised to those who diligently seek Him.’
Andy P.