How Long Are We Going To Be Here?
James 4
KJV
14+ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
How long are you going to be here is a question no one can answer! Many have tried but to no avail. Even medical practitioners have told some that they will leave within a few months but this has turned into years.
The transient and impermanent nature of our stay is what James described as a “ vapour” A vapour is a mist, it rises and within seconds vanishes into thin air. Life if compared to a flower, it grows, blossoms, gives out fragrance and thereafter withers! Who knows at which stage of this plant you are at this moment in life?
Compared to the grass here is what Peter said about life;
1 Peter 1
KJV
24+ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
Our beauty, handsomeness, glory, fame, popularity etc will fade with time!
When Isaiah was told “ Cry” and he asked what he was to say read what he was told;
Isaiah 40
KJV
6+ The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
The psalmist also added his voice;
Psalms 103
KJV
15+ As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16+ For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
Scriptures record a conversation between Peter and Jesus. Peter tried to ask this very question though he didn’t put it directly; a careful reading of the conversation between him and Jesus indicates that was his intended question
Read it;
John 21:20-23
NIV
[20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
[21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
[22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
[23] Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
So, yes the duration of our stay here is unknown as is testified to by the variations in ages we see on the funeral posters/banners of those who have been recalled! The obituary notifications.
This being the case beloved, let us make the most out of what time we are allotted! It is true none can initiate and complete whatever he/she desire; but initiate something anyway.
It is true you can not please or make everybody happy, but let a few feel happy and enjoy their time with you! This is how they will remember you.
Impact a life for good and not evil! Let whatever duration you stay/spend here be meaningful! For we are here today, gone tomorrow! Do not lose sight of this, factor it into everything you do.
My thoughts to share
John Franklin Tamakloe