YOU CAN ONLY LIVE SO LONG
Mike Johnson
You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House, in New York City, during a production. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he suffered a heart attack. He fell to the stage below and died a short time later after singing the fatalistic line.
A few years ago in Michigan, a bowler, who had been bowling for 31 years, died shortly after bowling his first 300 game at the age of 40. Fellow league members had cheered him on and had surrounded him as he rolled his final three strikes. Shortly after the game the man seemed quiet; then, the color drained from his face and within fifteen minutes he suffered a fatal heart attack!
People die under a variety of circumstances and in many different ways. Most do not die under such unique circumstances as the two men mentioned above, although many die unexpectedly and suddenly as they did. However, in spite of how death comes and the circumstances under which it comes, it comes to all.
The Bible teaches the inevitability of death and the fickleness of our life here upon this earth. Hebrews 9:27 speaks of two certainties which we face as it says “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Job 14:1-2 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” James 4:14 points out that our life is a “vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
When a person dies, various questions might be asked. Someone might ask, “Did he leave a family behind?” Another may ask, “Did he have a lot of money?” Some may want to know the cause of the person’s death. Although commonly asked, these questions, and any other similar questions, pale in comparison to what is the most important question: “Was the person a faithful Christian?” When a person dies, this is the only question which really matters.
At the longest, life upon this earth is short and death can come at anytime. What are we doing with the time we have? Are we using our short life here upon this earth to faithfully serve God? Are we “redeeming the time” (Eph. 5:16) knowing that our death and the Judgment are swiftly approaching (Eccl. 9:7, II Cor. 5:10)?
People do die under unusual circumstances and at unexpected times. However, unless the Lord comes first, we all will die. Are we prepared for this inevitable event? If not, we need to make sure we are prepared by obeying the Will of God.