Life is Short and We're Learning the Wrong Lessons
Meditations on the brevity of life and the actions they should inspire
A few days ago, a tweet by J.S. Park, a hospital chaplain vocal about his experiences at people’s deathbeds, went viral.
Here’s how he concluded the thread:
His tweets resonated with me because I’m a proponent of living an unashamed and authentic life. So, I hit the ‘retweet’ and ‘like’ buttons.
But as I scrolled downward, I felt a check in my spirit.
No, that’s not it. That’s not the lesson.
Then I reread the tweets and understanding dawned on me.
If there is no life beyond the grave—no Heaven, no Hell, no Judgment—then J.S Park’s heartfelt reflection on the brevity of life was the whole truth.
But this life is not all there is, and death plunges us into eternity, where we will stand before our Maker to give account of our lives.
How then could the lesson we should learn from the brevity of life only be “live deeply”, “be true to yourself”, “follow your dreams”? What about the weightier issue of our eternal fate?
So I typed the following responses as led by the Holy Spirit.
Life is short and eternity is long
Human beings mostly live as though they’ll be here forever. Until the death of a loved one or a popular figure. Then, they begin to ponder how fleeting life is.
But the lessons they pick are often self-centred and shortsighted, focusing only on this temporal world, instead of the eternal world.
Consider the following quotes from renowned people:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” - Steve Jobs
“Life is short, so enjoy it to the fullest.” - John Walters
“I wish for a world where people understand that life is short. So today’s the time to do big things.” - Robin S. Sharma
Scroll through the replies to Park’s tweets and you’ll see similar sentiments: “Be your most authentic self.” “Live fully and bravely.” “If there’s anything you do in your brief time here on planet Earth, please be yourself.”
But God didn’t design our brief time on Earth for us to “be ourselves”, and “fulfil our dreams”, and “live intentionally”, and “leave a legacy”.
He designed our brief time here on Earth—or put differently, He created us—so that we could enjoy and display His glory, preparing us for the lives we will live in eternity.
Time on earth is only an interlude in eternity, and our actions here will determine where we will spend eternity.
So, any reflection on the transience of life that fails to consider the eternal God and our eternal destination is foolish. Any reflection on the transience of life that fails to consider whether one is preparing for eternity is dangerous.
This is why the Bible tells us:
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom - Ps. 90:12 (NIV)
And what is that heart of wisdom?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Prov. 9:10
The fear of God isn’t a kind of terror that pushes us away from God, but a deep reverence for God’s holiness, majesty, wisdom, power, and manifold perfections that draws us closer to Him. Fearing God is knowing God, trusting God, obeying God, and serving God. This is wisdom.
Paul admonishes the Ephesian church:
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. - Eph. 5:16-17
Wisdom is understanding (and obeying) the will of God.
And the will of God for us has been revealed in His Word. God wants us to:
seek the kingdom of God first (Matt. 6:33)
lose our lives to save it (Matt. 16:25)
treasure Him above anyone and anything else (Phil. 3:8)
live our lives for His glory, not for selfish ambitions and pleasure (1 Cor. 10:31)
keep His commandments (John 14:15)
pursue sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3)
invest in things of eternal significance instead of things that will not last (Matt. 6:19-20)
(This is not an exhaustive list.)
When you ponder the brevity of life, you should think about how to make your life count. Not in relation to your dreams, goals, ambitions, and desires, but in relation to God’s eternal purpose.
You may achieve all your dreams, reach the pinnacle of your career, travel the world, or impact the younger generation. You may take your last breath with zero regrets. But if your life does not revolve around the will of God in Christ Jesus, you’ve wasted your precious life and regrets will abound in hell.
Lay hold of eternal life
J.S. Park is not entirely wrong. God doesn’t want us to coast through life or live purposeless, empty, unfulfilling lives. And I’m sure God wouldn’t want us to live our lives based on other people’s vision rather than His (not ours!) Remember that Jesus came so that we could have life in all its fullness.
But J.S. Park put the cart before the horse. Living fully should begin with eternal life. How can you tell a spiritually dead person heading for eternal condemnation to live fully?
My heart bleeds for the thousands of unbelieving people who read that thread and resolved to live life to the fullest while ignoring the call to believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ.
My readers are Christians, but if by any chance you’re reading this, and you’ve not yet believed and confessed the death and resurrection of Jesus, I implore you to receive the eternal life He offers you today. You were made for far more than living your life on your own terms; you were made for God. And the only pathway to God is faith in Jesus Christ, His Son.
Live in the light of eternity
Christians already have the gift of eternal life, which is the life of God we express by the Holy Spirit.
But too often, we get caught up in earthly pursuits and temporal pleasures, neglecting issues of eternal significance (Issues of eternal significance are actions that proceed out of faith, hope, and love, according to 1 Cor. 13:13.)
We devote so much time and energy to climbing up the career ladder, multiplying our income, posting on social media, binge-watching Netflix series, and spending time with family and friends. But we don’t devote as much time and energy to reading our Bibles, praying, fellowshipping with other believers, witnessing to the unsaved, walking in love towards others, and giving to the work of God. And these are the things that matter most to God.
This is why Paul writes:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. - Col. 3:1-2
By all means, pursue career progress and financial security, have fun with your loved ones, go on trips—so long as you’re doing them to the glory of God. But don’t prioritise these things more than the things of God.
Why?
For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. - 2 Cor. 4:18b
You have eternal life. So live deeply for Jesus, not self. That’s all that will matter in eternity.
His grace is sufficient for us all.
With love,
Dunnie
If this blessed you, please share it on your social networks.
Thank you so much for exhorting us, dear friend.