My life is like a vapor

SCRIPTURE
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)

OBSERVATION
There is a popular song, "Live Like You Were Dying," that poses a question we see being answered everyday in the news - "do we really know how much time we have to live?" From facing death's door on the battlefields of war, to the daily risks of driving on our local roads...living on the edge of life isn't as far away as we may think. Whether we're consciously aware of it or not, each new day takes us one step closer to the line that separates life from death. And it's a line that we cannot control, neither can it be negotiated or compromised.

The truth of reality spoken by James says it all: no one really knows what life will be like tomorrow. In many respects we all suffer from a "terminal illness," the only difference being that the "terminally ill" understand the urgency of the moment, to make the best use of their limited time. We, on the other hand, when we live presumptuously believing that our time left is unlimited, we place ourselves at a disadvantage. We miss out.

APPLICATION
So, here's the questions I must answer each day:
"Am I living my life like I'm dying?"
"How should I live differently, knowing that my time is limited?"

How would I love differently?
How would it affect the depth of my forgiveness towards others?
How am I preparing myself for eternity and to stand face to face with God?
Am I engaging myself in the things that matter most?
Would I worship differently?
Would I risk more? Laugh more? Serve more? Give more?
Who would I spend more time with?
Would I finally live fully present in every moment?

As I ponder the upcoming year, let there be a sense of urgency running through my veins. I am given this moment as a gift. What will I do with this gift?

PRAYER
Father, thank You for the time You have already given to me. Forgive me for not taking full advantage of that time and for squandering the opportunities You sent my way. May I live each new day for You.