v 14 Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
I’m writing these notes in the middle of October – do you remember those lovely weeks when the sun shone, the weather was dry, and the Autumn colours on the trees were breath-taking? If you do, you will probably also remember the misty mornings before the sun broke through and dispersed every sign of fog. We were able to sit out in the sun and forget there had ever been any hint of morning mist. (In fact, I met people who had not even realised there had been any fog around earlier in the day!)
It’s like that with people too. Ask around at Church; who remembers Stanley Thomas? Very few. Or Chris Keogan? A few more. Or Barbara Knight? More still. All faithful servants of God in Beeding but now in glory. What does the Psalmist say- ‘ Seventy years are given to us! (Been there) Some even live to eighty. (Been there too) But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble (Oh help!) soon they disappear, and we fly away. ‘ (Psalm 90:10) So it won’t be long before someone will say ‘Do you remember John Rowland?’ And the answer will come back ‘Uh? Who was he?’
That is part of the battle – to remember that we are mortal and time-limited. God has given us life for a purpose. Are you purposefully using the time, your gifts, your whole self, to honour Him?