But a vapor

You don't even know what tomorrow will bring-what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.-James 4:14

This afternoon like the rest of the world I discovered Stuart Scott passed away at the age of 59. I was shocked and saddened by the news, not so much because of my love for his work on ESPN but rather at the realization that the world has lost one of its greatest announcers.

Stuart Scott's death reminds all of us that life is short.  We are not promised forever!  The shortness of Stuart Scott's life reminds us of this but also the Bible repeatedly talks about the shortness of life.  We are told time and time again that in view of eternity our life is but a vapor, here one minute and gone the next.  We are constantly reminded to live in light of this reality.  Ecclesiastes 12 is a chapter in the Bible written by King Solomon which allegorizes the shortness of life...

Vs. 3: keepers of the house tremble; Solomon is using an allegory to refer to the arms.  We are reminded that there will come a day when our arms will shake and become frail.  Opening and closing our fist will become next to impossible. 

Vs. 3: strong men are bent; this is referring to the legs, in reference to the fact that there will come a day when we will walk hunched over with knees bent.  One day we will wake up and never again be able to run, hike mountains, go for long walks, etc.

Vs. 3: grinders cease because they are few; One day our teeth will fall out and we will have to wear dentures.  We will no longer be able to enjoy a juicy, delicious steak or other amazing foods.

V 3: those who look through the windows are dimmed; One day our eyes will fail us and we will be unable to see.

Vs. 4: rises at the sound of a bird; One day we will have trouble sleeping. We will arise before the sun and  and go to bed shortly after dinner, and we will spend all of the time in between complaining about the noise.

Vs. 6-7; before the silver cord is snapped, and the gold bowl is broken, and the jar is shattered at the spring, and the wheel is broken into the well; and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it; One day every one of us will die!  This morning Stuart Scott stood before the Creator of the Universe and had to give an account for his life.  What will you say when face to face with the Holy Creator?  If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, I beg you to click this link and read this story…(http://viewthestory.com/3156).  If you are a follower of Christ, than let me ask, how are you doing?

Ecclesiastes 11:9: Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.  Followers of Christ, live your life, but know that one day you will have to stand before God and give an account for how you used this time, how you used your energy.  Did you use your life for proclaiming the glory of Jesus Christ or for proclaiming the glory of self?  Did you live your life proclaiming and explaining the glory of Christ or did you remain quiet and let your friends and neighbors sink into a Christ-less eternity?

Remember, our lives are but a vapor, here one minute and gone the next…

How will you use your vapor?