One Life
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Discussing the subject of the Gospel and Culture recently I learnt that, among the Akan of Ghana, the burial of people who die sudden deaths, and deaths from certain diseases, like Tuberculosis (called “Saman Wa” literally meaning “death cough”); is different from the burial of people who lived life fully; lived a good life, had children, and died peacefully at a ripe old age. Those who lived life fully and died are believed to be joining the ancestors, and are given a thorough, proper and full farewell.
They believe that those who die prematurely hang around, and will come back through another birth, to complete the full life journey. I believe this thought has been a source of relief for a lot of people who lost loved ones suddenly. Personally, I wish it were so, because I have quite a list of people I would have requested to be brought back. I just tried listing some of them, off-the-cuff, and I have thirteen names already!
Unfortunately they never came back! It is the reality we all know. And when we go, we will equally not come back. This reality is always sobering for me.
It is the reason we all need to pick and choose what we use our time for carefully. By all means enjoy life, and by all means indulge in the things that give pleasure; but all should be in the context of the brevity, and fleeting nature of life; as compared to life in eternity.
I want to quote some wisdom, attributed to the man who had it all, and is believed to be the one who really enjoyed life on this earth. Let us read it.
READ Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 12:13-14
These are the words of the teacher,the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Life is fleeting, like a passing mist.
It is like trying to catch hold of a breath;
All vanishes like a vapor; everything is a great vanity. (1:1-2)And, when all is said and done, here is the last word:
Worship in reverence the one True God, and keep His commands, for this is what God expects of every person. For God will judge every action—including everything done in secret—whether it be good or evil. (12:13-14)
(Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 12:13-14 The Voice Bible)
Solomon was one very fortunate young man: he was born into royalty, wealth and peace. And he was “but a child” (1King 3:7). Scholars believe he became king when he was just about 20 years old. And he reigned for about 40 years; and was very successful and wealthy.
With all his success, he had one problem: that he was not going to live forever to enjoy all the wealth he had accumulated. It was a major source of worry to him. In verse 3, he said,
What good does it do anyone to work so hard again and again ; sun up to sundown? All his labor to gain but a little? (Eccl. 1:3)
After lamenting life’s joys and sorrows in this very poetic literature, he concluded that when all is done, we have to worship the one True God and keep His commands; because He would judge us.
This is the reason Jesus calls us to use the fleeting life we have to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness; and promising that all other things will be added to it. It is like killing two birds with one stone.
You get the life here, and the one beyond.
It is only one life. Live it well.
MEMORY VERSE
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you?” (Matthew 6:33)
QUESTIONS
- What are you using your life to do?
- Are they also preparing you for the life beyond her?
PRAYER TIP
Almighty God, please help us
to know what is important,
and pay attention to it.
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you.
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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