Month: June 2018

I was just thinking, life, it is all of 70 or 80 years. That is just a moment in eternity. We are eternal beings, and as such we will spend endless ages somewhere after this life is over. The choice of where is up to us.

I will post a poem here that I really like. It drives home the point I am trying to make.

Only One Life
By C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

This is going to be short, but very direct and to the point.

I have three children and two nieces. All are adults or think they are. My wife of 26 years and I are divorced. The failure of our marriage is my fault, and hers. There is plenty of blame to go both ways. If I were the man I am today, I don’t know if I would still be married or not, but I would be fighting with everything I have to preserve my marriage. That failure rests squarely on me.

Now, on reflecting on what is most important in life, I wish I would have discovered this when I was 20, not 60. There is only one thing in life that I need to do to be a success. I need to succeed at doing the Will of God. I need to make sure everyone in my family is on the road to Heaven. This is not easy, nor is it what the world puts out there in front of us men as success. Yet, in eternity, that is all that matters. This life is short, it is just the dress rehearsal for eternity.

As the man, the Spiritual head of the family, it is my responsibility to make sure everyone in my family is on their way to Heaven. And the extent to which I accomplish this is how successful I am. Thus far I am not much of a success. I do pray every day for my wife and children. I pray earnestly and passionately. And I am trying to set the right example for them. I thank God every day that I have reached this point in my life and, even though I have failed thus far, He has shown me what I need to do and I am still able to pray and take the virtuous path.

My example is to live virtuously, pray and rely on God’s promises. Proverbs 22:6

My success in life will depend on how I have prepared myself and my family for Eternity.