When Sinclair Lewis, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, died and was cremated in 1951, his ashes were sent to Rome’s American embassy for disposal. One morning a visitor noticed a worker on her knees with a dustpan and broom. Next to her was an overturned urn. When asked what she was doing, she replied nonchalantly, “Sweeping up Sinclair Lewis.” What a picture of the transient nature of the human experience! This is why the Bible says: “He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:14).
Dust is only one of many images the Bible uses to describe the transient nature of the human experience. Human beings are like grass and flowers—living briefly and passing quickly (Job 14:2; Psalm 90:5-6). Moreover, human beings are like fleeting shadows (1 Chronicles 29:15). Sometimes the image of shadows is joined with other images (a dying lake and drying river) to indicate the brevity of life (Job 14:1-2, 11-12).
Other images of transience are breath and wind (Job 7:7,9; Psalm 144:4). There are additional images and metaphors that describe the brevity of life: a cloth that wears out (Psalm 102:25-26), a fleeting dream (Psalm 90:5), a swift runner (Job 9:25-26) and a weaver’s shuttle (Job 7:6). Yet another image of the transient nature of the human experience is numbers. Counting the years of human life indicates that it’s measurable; it has a beginning and it has an end (Genesis 6:3; Psalm 90:10).
God has given us the gift of time, but because it’s so brief we’re instructed to recognize its brevity, number our days, use our time wisely, seek God while He may be found, awaken people from their sleep and invite them to receive the free gift of salvation, and make the most of opportunities that God brings our way.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 6:14-29
More:
Read James 4:14 and discover another image of transience—the brevity of life.
Next:
Knowing that we have a limited amount of time on earth, how are you using your time with wisdom? What are you doing to invest your time and energy in things that are eternal?
jstabel on July 16, 2012 at 5:24 am
We remember our birth dates with keen interest but forget the importance of it…it has an expiration date,what we do with it now will be what we will be in eternity.
marvin williams on July 18, 2012 at 9:50 am
jstabel, we do sometimes forget that we have an opportunity and responsiblity to make God famous with the short time we have on earth. Turn your minutes into moments today.
tom felten on July 16, 2012 at 11:13 am
Wow, Marvin, what a poignant, humorous illustration! Yesterday, I was talking with a friend about the recent death and burial of his father. The cremated remains that they buried amounted to simply a small box. But, thankfully, the man had loved God and others throughout his life in a big way. His 79 years on earth left a Christ-like essence that continues to affect others. May we live the same kind of life!
marvin williams on July 18, 2012 at 9:53 am
Tom, I love hearing stories like that – how one person can affect change in another person’s life. It is my prayer that we will all live in such a way that we leave a Christ-like essence behind long after we’re gone. Blessings on you, friend and brother.
mike on July 16, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I am reminded that it is what we do with the “dash between the dates” (of birth and death) is all that really counts.
Grateful that God through His word provides us the reminder of the brevity of this life compared to an eternity with Him.
marvin williams on July 18, 2012 at 9:56 am
Mike, it is sobering to think that all of our life, hopes, dreams, accomplishments, mistakes, forgiveness and joy are wrapped up in that little centimeter. We cannot determine when we were born and when we die. Howver, we can determine how we will spend our DASH. Mike, thanks for adding your voice to this very important conversation.
alli on July 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm
wow
mike wittmer on July 17, 2012 at 11:41 am
Thank you for these wise words, Marvin. I don’t think I really believed that life was transient when I was younger, but I really believe it now. May God give us the wisdom to make every one of our finite days count for Him!
marvin williams on July 18, 2012 at 9:58 am
Mike, I am feeling you. With each birthday that passes and with each milestone in my kids’ lives, I feel more like a breath and a mist. All the more reason to number our days and ask God for a heart of wisdom. Thanks for your example and your constant encouragement.