Thursday’s Devotion: Rethink Life

(Used again 8-31-18)
Psalm 39:4-7 (NLT) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”  We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

This could be a pretty depressing scripture unless we remember that it is comparing our lives to that of God’s eternity.  We still have the opportunity to live long, productive lives.  Yesterday we received word that a member of New Hope UMC just a few miles up the road died at the age of 116.  She was the oldest person in the world.  Who knows? You might be a record breaker!  This scripture speaks to me about not letting life slip by; about treasuring each day.  It’s good to remember the past and to learn from it, but we cannot alter the past no matter how wonderful or terrible it might have been for us personally. We can, however craft our future. We can decide what we want our future to be and work towards that with God’s help.  Every day we turn a new page in the current chapter of our lives.  What do we want to write?  The UMC has a current campaign out titled “Rethink Church.” Periodically we should take the opportunity to rethink life. Are we where we really want to be?  Don’t be afraid to go for what you really want.  Just bring it to God first and ask for direction. 

Loving God, give us the courage to live life fully.  It is short compared to yours and to the life we are offered on the other side of this earthly existence.  You blessed us with this life; help us to make it something pleasing to you and joyful for ourselves.  In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day,

Paige