100 Years from Today

I always knew it would happen, but not until the optometrist told me I needed bifocals did I accept the unenviable truth. I’m getting older.

Despite my denials, plans or schemes, printed words I used to read only inches from my face now have to be moved to arm's length -- and beyond. Yesterday’s smooth skin capitulated some time ago to the relentless wrinkles of tomorrow. My hair turned gray, spry steps slowed and I sometimes wistfully wonder where the years have gone.

But more importantly – and this is the point – in light of the subtle swiftness of time, I sometimes find myself thinking about where I might be a year from now. Or one hundred years from today. Or two hundred and fifty. Or five hundred.

Once, while reading of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16), a somber realization gripped me. Although two thousand years have passed since the story was penned, that same Rich Man is still in agony and torment.

Still.

And he will STILL be in torment one hundred years from today. And two hundred and fifty years from now. And five hundred. Scripture teaches his agony will never end.

Perhaps the guy thought he had plenty of time to make those eternal decisions many of us put off year after year. Perhaps the calendar pages passed so gradually for him he rarely gave thought to tomorrow – and eternity beyond that.

Perhaps he took time for granted.

That seems to be our tendency, doesn’t it? To take for granted the life God has given us, and to put off until a more ‘convenient time’ decisions we ought to be making today. It was for good reason the Psalmist prayed – as we should as well – “So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). And the writer of Hebrews 4:7 warned, "Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." And Solomon: "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)

That very limited and critical commodity we call ‘Time’ is moment by moment, day by day, year by year slipping away from each of us. I hope you will not make the mistake to think what we do with our allotted time is of no eternal consequence.

And so, when was the last time you confirmed your relationship with the One who gave you your allotted time? When was the last time you sought to ensure your relationship with Him was in good standing? When was the last time you knelt before Jesus Christ in repentance, asking His forgiveness – seeking Him while He may still be found? (see Isaiah 55:6).

It is too late for the Rich Man to decide what he will do with his relationship with his Creator. But if you are reading this, it is not too late for you. Yet please know this: Your eternal destiny hangs on the decision you make today.

When we step into eternity, our time to decide will have run out.