Life is fleeting

Daylilies are blooming–in yards, in carefully cultivated gardens, and along roadsides. These lilies are aptly named. They bloom for only a day–as a flower, their life is fleeting.

Daylilies are prolific and will spread (if not in an area populated with deer who devour these lovelies). We don’t often notice their blossoms close after only a day of beauty because so many are blooming at once. Even their buds are attractive.

But even so, their life is fleeting.

What about us?

LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow. (Psalm 144:3-4)

In the grand scheme of life, our days are fleeting as well. Of course, we usually “bloom” more than one day, but once we reach adulthood, the days seem to fly by.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. (James 4:13-14)

We have big plans, don’t we? Education, career, marriage, children, retirement…

Perhaps we have lists that include visiting the sick, volunteer work, or serving in our community. If you’re like me, my intentions are good, but I’m behind on my service. But as the scripture reminds us, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. We are here for a little while and then we’re gone.

A meaningful life

I’m not trying to be morbid, or depressing. It’s just that the older I get, the more focused I become on leading a meaningful life–a life that makes a difference.

What does a meaningful life look like?

The Daylily has a purpose in that one day she blossoms–to be beautiful, to brighten someone’s day, and glorify our Creator.

In contrast to eternity, we’re here for the blink of an eye. Each day we have, can we make a positive, loving difference in the life of another? How can we share beauty through our life? Can we brighten someone’s day and glorify God?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

Even though our days are numbered and we may run out of time before we complete our task list, we have this promise:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you–you of little faith?” (Matthew 28:25,28-30)

We are loved!

Wishing you a blessed week, my friends!

(I will be away at a conference this week and on vacation with my family the following week. “See” you the end of June).