Time for a short list
“…Weeping may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
This is one of my favorite Psalms and one that has helped me through some tough bumps in the road of life. We all have those crooks in the “road” coupled with a “pothole” or two as we travel down life’s roadway, don’t we? It’s called life, but some are a little tougher than others.
One of the tough ones is when you lose a friend, a mate, a classmate, to death. And as we mature (age) it seems as though that event comes more frequently. As graying and gravity takes more of a toll on us each day, eternity is claiming more and more of all of our friends.
What I am trying to share is that time is short for all of us. The book of James in the Scriptures says our lives on this earth are but a “fleeting vapor,” here today and gone tomorrow. The picture in the original language is that our life is like the wisp of breath on a cold winter’s morning. That being the case I vow to do a few things:
--Enjoy every breath I have left, even on the tough days … Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number (make them count) our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
--Work on my intimate relationships with family & friends. I Timothy 5:8: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
--Say the three most precious words more often: I love you” I Corinthians 13:13: [BEGIN ITAL] “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
[BOX] Attempt to make a new friend each day. Proverbs 18:24: “… but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
--Continuing to develop a closer walk with my Lord and trust more fully in Him. Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory through Christ Jesus.”
--Believe and say the best about others regardless of what may appear and what others may say. Psalm 141:3: “LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.”
That is my short list -- oh, yes and then the big one: [BEGIN ITAL]Stop procrastinating[END ITAL] and take on whatever task lies at my doorstep.
Here goes – I love you all – thanks for reading and thanks for the feedback.
Have a great week and make your “to do list.”
Jim Neal is pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Shafter.
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