“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecc. 3:1-2). You are familiar with these words of Solomon and the rest of those verses in that chapter. We find the words of Jeremiah encouraging when he wrote, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11). Changes take place! Life changes take place! In 2016 Bro. Garland Elkins, great Bible scholar, passed away at age 90. Bro. Tom Holland, age 87, passed away in April of 2019. Life changes in the secular world as well. Bobby Cox, manager of the Atlanta Braves (1978-1981; general manger from 1986 to 1990; manager from 1990 – 2010) recently had a stroke just prior to his 78th birthday. In view of this, maybe we need to open our eyes and take a look at some things. Three to be exact.
ONE, THE BREVITY OF LIFE. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Job said it like this, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope” (Job 7:6). One gospel preacher said, “It took 600 years to get from six years of age to twenty-one and three years to get from twenty-one to sixty. To those individuals above the age of fifty, maybe even sooner, life is very brief.
TWO, THE OPPORTUNITIES OF LIFE. “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Jesus said this about Mary, “She hath done what she could” (Mk. 14:8). A rather interesting example in the scriptures is Samson. Remember when he lost his strength? Someone wasn’t paying attention and let his hair grow. Samson took advantage of an opportunity and killed more Philistines in his death than he did in his life (Judges 16:30). He took advantage of an opportunity. God gives us opportunities. When someone asked you about your Christianity, why not set up a Bible study? When someone is telling you their difficulties in life, why not invite them to worship?
THREE, THE FRAILTIES OF LIFE. David was a giant killer (1 Sam. 17), but there came a time when he couldn’t slay the giants. Read second Samuel twenty one. “Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint” (2 Sam. 21:15). Folks, our bodies wear out, which is why we must take advantage of life’s opportunities when we can. David couldn’t fight Ishbibenob, someone else had to do it. Regarding Israel the Bible records, “Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see…” (Gen. 48:10).
Yes, life changes! Coming behind us is a host of youth with the zeal and excitement to carry out the work that has been started.
