BONUS BLOG: “I Might be 91.5% Home. And you?”

“I Might Be 91.5% Home. And You?” — So wrote one of my favorite parts of the Presbyterian Church in America. His name’s Scotty Smith. Yes, it’s really Scotty; he’s from the South. He was a professor of mine at Covenant Theological Seminary a little over twenty years ago. He’s gold. For example, here’s what he said yesterday —

“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty… Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Ps.90:10, 12). “Encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb.10:25)

Lord Jesus, what a destiny we have, what a Savior you are, what a Gospel we treasure. Because of your resurrection, “death, formerly an executioner, is now a gardener” (George Herbert). Our bodies, planted as perishable seed, will be raised imperishable and forever “un-ache-able” (1Cor.15:42). No more cancer, consternation, or conflicts of any kind—just “all things new,” beautiful, and perfect forever. That is so awesome, and so generous of you.

We’ll soon realize that whatever we thought “heaven” would be, our bar was too low and our hopes were too petite. Jesus, if I’m average, I’ve lived 91.5% of a “normal” life expectancy—73 of 80 years. Death isn’t way down the road for me, and your return may even be sooner. But if I don’t live till 80, “there is no downside for me leaving, not in the slightest” (Tim Keller’s last words).

So, until the perfectly timed day of my last breath or your sure return, what will a wise life look like for me, and for my friends? Surely, it will involve living closer to you, Jesus (one of the last things Jack Miller said to me, just before his death at 67).

It will also mean living more at the pace of grace—living more by a “to-love-list,” rather than a “to-do-list.” For “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). It will also mean investing more energy, days, and joy in the spread of the Gospel, and encouraging your Bride. Jesus, Count. Me. In. So Very Amen.