MSN Year in Review 2008 has a 75 picture slideshow of famous people who passed away in 2008. This past Monday I scrolled through the list and read about people I was both familiar and unfamiliar with.
Heath Ledger, Bernie Mac, Tim Russert, Paul Newman, and the list goes on. From this list of 75 people, some died from old age, some from health complications, some from drug abuse, and some from suicide. Many of them had reached the pinnacle of fame, prestige, and success. But they all have one thing in common now: they no longer make their home on this earth.
As I reflected on these stars’ lives, my spirit was really affected. I turned to Psalm 39 and read the following words of David:
4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man’s life is but a breath.
Selah
6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Truly, our only hope is in the Lord. This life is but a breath and then eternity. I do not want to try to build up my own kingdom, reputation, or success. I truly long to point people to the God who created us and who longs to have a relationship with us. In the end, all that truly matters is what we did with Jesus. That will affect not only this life, but it affects all of eternity.
How do these thoughts from Psalm 39 stir your soul? How can reflecting on the brevity of life actually encourage us?
{ 0 comments… add one now }