Everyone Will Keep This Appointment

 

Recently, I have been reminded of the brevity and uncertainty of life.  Two things happened that brought these truths front and center in my life.

On January 26, 2020, the world was rocked by the news that basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash.  It was later learned that 8 other people perished in that tragic accident.

Even though Bryant’s untimely death was and continues to be part of today’s headlines, there was another death that occurred a few weeks prior to this that caused me to number my days.

I can clearly remember receiving a tweet that shared the news that Lois Evans had passed away on December 30, 2019.  Mrs. Evans was the wife of Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas.

Dr. Evans preached a message a couple of weeks later that reflected on his wife’s life.  He used Paul’s words that were written to young Timothy as his text.

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:6-8 (KJV)

I have given much thought to Dr. Evans’ words over this past week.  They have been a sober reminder that every person who has ever lived has a time when life here on earth will end.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.  Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

Evans said something related to this verse that caused me to sit up and take notice. He said,

How old you are is not determined by your birth date but by your death date…Many people think they are younger but they are older than they think.

As I contemplated the brevity and uncertainty of life in light of Scripture, I also realized that these same truths apply to one’s ministry.  There will come a day when what you and I are doing right now will end.  Even though our lives may go on, our ministries will change.Just as life is a vapor, so too is one’s opportunity to serve the Lord in a particular work.

Just as life is a vapor, so too is one’s opportunity to serve the Lord in a particular work.  As I look back over my years in education, I realize now that I never knew when God would change how He would use me.

I have often thought that one of the greatest threats to productive service to the Lord was experience and success.  Whenever God put me in a new position, I found myself praying and looking to Him for all of the strength and wisdom that I needed in the new role.  However, as time passed and I became “better” at the job, sometimes my dependence on Him waned.

Today marks the start of a new week for each of us.  It is another opportunity to serve the Lord in a way that will bring Him glory.  Here are a few questions I have recently asked myself.

1. Do I understand the brevity of life and my opportunity to serve the Lord again today?
2. Am I as dependent on God to lead my ministry as the day I began it?
3. As each day passes and my departure (both life and ministry) draws nearer, do I have greater spiritual clarity in all that I am and do?
4. What needs to change so that I am prepared for my appointment that God has set for me?

Over the next couple of weeks I want to share with you some things that God has brought to my attention from Paul’s good bye to his son in the faith that is recorded in 2 Timothy 4.