Yesterday, I learned my cousin has cancer and a high school classmate does as well. The days of youth have become just a memory. People grow old and die; that fact of life is becoming more apparent as time goes by.
Yet, these things are nothing new, for I have known about life and death since I was very young. And while young, I lived as if I would never grow old nor die. Even doing foolish and often dangerous things seemed perfectly "normal"- adventurous, even.
Then, in my early twenties, I woke up. It happened after I started my second or third time reading through the Bible. I realized that I needed God and just doing things my own way was a recipe for disaster.
As I thought about my cancer ridden friends, this passage from the book of James came to the forefront of my reflections...
James, Chapter 4 (World English Bible)
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” 14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” (emphasis added, vs 15) 16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. 17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
We really don't know what next year, next month or even tomorrow will bring. If we live according to God's will, then what happens in our life, will please him now and for eternity. Youth will still be replaced by age and robust health by the scourge of disease, but even through these things, God will be there to bless us.
I have no idea what you think of these things, but as for me- I don't intend to be like snoopy and take it lying down!!! Instead, I anticipate God raising me UP!!!