Best Before
Psalm 90:10 – The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (KJV)
Although I have almost completed fourscore and six years, some of you reading this will be even further along than I am on the runway of life. However, most of you will have more time before you take off and “fly away”.
When shopping at a produce store, have you noticed how frequently products are shown with a “best before” date? As I ponder this, I realize that there are three aspects of life — physical, mental, and spiritual — and in the first two, I know that I have passed my “best before” date!
However, in the third and most important aspect, it is quite a different story. I remember very clearly a Sunday in 1940 when I asked for God’s forgiveness and committed my life for service to Jesus Christ.
While there have been ups and downs along the way, since then, I have progressed with continuous growth and opportunities to serve. I am confident that I am stronger spiritually today than I have ever been.
We can’t change the past. The days before today are history. All that matters, as we race down the runway of life before lift-off, is what we do with what remains of our life.
It is impossible for me to know the avenues of service available for each of us in the days that remain to us. May God help you and me to do our best to love Him and serve others in the days that lie ahead.
On my wall there hangs a plaque that reads:
Only one life,
‘Twill soon be past.
Only what’s done,
For Christ will last.
“To me to live is Christ.”
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, as an atonement for our sins. Help us to continue to grow spiritually as we serve You until we lift off at the end of our journey here on earth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Vincent Walter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– Copyright 2018-2020 by Vince Walter and reprinted with his permission. This devotional first appeared on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional website, www.presbycan.ca