Passing of Time

There are times in my life that I look back and can't believe how much time has passed. Recently I have noticed how much time has passed since I spent quality time studying my Bible, or in true prayer, or just in general reflection. It is so easy to let life take over and live the basic day to day, without allowing anything seemingly meaningful to cross my mind.

I can say with confidence that this is not the way I want to carry out my life. With these thoughts in mind I have this to say.

A few weeks ago Hayne posted on his blog under the heading Hebel. (You can check him out at pipesandpints.blogspot.com) Hebel being described as a vanishing mist and the undertones of Hayne's statements were that he was having trouble finding general meaning in life because everything seems to pass as a vanishing mist...Hebel.

I have thought about this and the affects we have on the people around us. I recently spoke with a professor at the school I work with. He made some moves that has pulled him out of his administrative rolls and put him back into the classroom. I was talking with him about this and it was a simple realization of the fact that time with his students, and time with his church community are the important things that he needs to be focusing on. It seems evident that he is pleased with this change and that he has confidence that God will honor his actions. (I tend to agree with that and have a great deal of respect for this man just for doing it)

Just last night I was at a concert. A band called 12 Stones was in Little Rock. I have supported the band for years mostly because I know the lead singer. I think their music is outstanding as well, but I could be a little bias. I had the opportunity to talk with this guy last night though. I hadn't seen him since the summer of 2000, but when he saw me he immediately remembered me, by name, and was reminded of some shared experiences and shared life.

I guess my point is this...we can learn from the Hebel. Many of the experiences in life may be but a vanishing mist when you look at the full picture, but that mist affects us. Hayne leaves for Omaha in October. If we never talk again, if the substance of our friendship vanishes like a mist, it doesn't become meaningless. I have been affected, changed, by that friendship. The lives that this professor touches because he is teaching in the classroom and in the community with all of his heart, will forever be affected by him.

My life has affected the singer of a band and likewise his has affected mine. The moments we have, we share, in life may be vanishing by that doesn't equate to meaningless. I know God calls me, as a Christian, to live a life caring for the poor, the broken, the hungry. I am sure he also desires that I show love and give a positive impact on the lives of the hundreds of people I come in contact with every day. I will be a simple vapor in most of their lives, maybe a thick fog in others, but I will have an affect either way. More specifically, I will have an affect on how they see God. Will they see him as meaningless?

I hope that I never overlook the Hebel in my life, for all those things have come together to make me who I am at this moment. I am not complete and I am far from perfect. It is clear that I cannot do any of this on my own...but I don't have to.

It can be easy to let ourselves get discouraged, to think of all that we have lost and will never again hold in our arms. That pain is real and it needs to be felt, it can't be ignored. However, there are blessings all through our lives and there is the good news because the Lord of all creation calls us into relationship with him. My prayer is that with the passing of time we can see how our lives have been affected by those around us, from the seemingly insignificant to the most powerful moments.

"In the arms of your mercy I find rest"

BJ