Beautiful Word Devotional #332

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

James 4:14

Life’s brevity is generally something we try not to think about and rarely talk about. But for the writers of the Bible—in this instance, James—the inevitability of our death is an important fact to remember. We need the reminder it offers that life is short; that we get only one shot at it; and that we can’t go back and change things, no matter how desperately we wish we could.

We are a morning mist, a fading flower, a vapor. That should not scare us, but motivate us just as being told they have a handful of months to live motivates patients to live with intentionality. They spend time with people they love. They travel, go on mission trips, and write checks to favorite ministries. They resolve conflicts, apologizing and asking forgiveness, accepting apologies and granting forgiveness.

We don’t know when our lives will end. But we can live as if each day were the last: we can live loving God and loving others.

Lord, help me to live with intentionality and use my time on this earth for your glory, amen.