“For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” — Psalm 103:14-16
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David Pollack was a first-round draft pick for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005 after stellar high school and college careers, including being a first-team All-American three times at the University of Georgia. But in the second game of his second season, he made a tackle on Reuben Droughns of the Cleveland Browns, and in doing so, Pollack broke his neck. He was never able to play the game he loved again.
He was, however, able to have an enjoyable and successful career as a sports commentator for many years, and has done a great job of being a spokesman for Christ and keeping everything in proper perspective. He didn’t get bitter about having such a brief NFL career.
When we graduate from high school, we are young with bright, shining eyes. Our muscles are strong. We can run a couple of miles and not get very tired, make long road trips and still get up the next day with plenty of energy. We remember the words to songs, passwords, the names of most of the people in our community, and the names of current movie stars and popular singers. In general, we’re not as afraid to start something new or try a different type of work.
When we’re young, we don’t expect to have health problems or to reach a time when we can’t get in our car and go where we want to go and do what we want to do. As time passes by, though, many of us get married and start families, then gradually we might start going to the doctor more often and realize how precious life is. That’s why God reminds us that this life doesn’t last long. “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more” (Psalm 103:14-16). We need to make the most of it.
Though we know God gave us incredible brains to think, our minds probably won’t work more than 90 or 100 years. Our hips, knees and ankles only have so many steps to give us before our life is done. Perhaps we think we are healthy now — and hopefully we are — but nothing is promised. Surely, life is precious — and brief in light of eternity — whether we are young or old. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
While we have a sound mind, we need to make sure we are right with God. The Lord is always ready to make that a reality.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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