Number Four: Enjoying or Worrying

Here in the middle of Lent 2017, it’s my joy to share Ten Reminders for Laypeople…but wow they sure apply to us pastors as well. With gratitude to Linna Bradford who graciously agreed to let me share these with you, here’s number four —

All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don’t worry, they can’t last long either.

— Uh oh. This one can’t be good.

But wait.

What do our Bibles say?

Quick survey:

We were only born yesterday and know nothing, because our time here is like a shadow. Job 8:9 (Oh come on, Joe, that’s from The Book of Job…what can you expect?)

We are like a vapor. Our days float away like smoke. Psalm 144:4 (Really? THAT’s in a Psalm?! Maybe it’s just a weird translation. Time for some New Testament.)

We are a only a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (Never noticed this in James before. Let’s go back to The Old Testament.)

We wither away like grass. Psalm 102:11 (Does this get any better, ever? Let’s try The New Testament again, please.)

People are like grass; our beauty is like a flower in the field. 1st Peter 1:24  (Phew! Now this is more like it!)

But then that same verse goes on to say, The grass withers and the flower fades. (Okay, okay, same image, I get it. What’s Jesus say about this?)

Look at how God decorates the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is gone! Won’t God do even better with you, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30 (Flowers, colors, okay, I like that. So yeah, I guess God will do even better with me.)

I came that you may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b (That’s what Jesus said? Good!)

Or as my mom, who’s 104, loves to say, “Enjoy every moment.”

Let’s do that, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

Meanwhile, “Enjoy every moment.”