Bible Studies
You should be warned you right now, it doesn't get much harder than this. If our path is like climbing a mountain, we have made it to the first high ridge, and now we see farther than before. The last lesson was a preparation for this one where we learned to continue to hope despite our shortcomings. We have been seeking the Truth and with our diligence and because of the grace of the Truth itself (and the benefit of forgiveness), we have found a place where it can be seen. We begin to see the glow of our far away destination and it lights up our path so we can be confident of our steps.
But the truth is a two-edged affair and we also see more clearly the life we must live and where it surely leads. We must travel through pain and fear, trouble and doubt; we get instruction and a new perspective, but our path does not change or become easier because we know the outcome. We must always face what fate has put into the experience of living, our part is to choose how we deal with what we see.
And now, perhaps, we can find the courage to ask the only question left that can give us the freedom and power to see it through.
39. The Body Dies but the Spirit Grows
I vowed I would pay attention to my habits; that I would not sin with my tongue, that I would control my mouth while the wicked were before me.
I said nothing, held my peace, even spoke no good; and my sorrow grew heavy.
My indignation burned and the more I thought the angrier I grew: then I spoke to You,
“Lord, tell me of my death, let me know the number of my days; I want to know how frail I am.”
I saw: You have given me a handful of days, my age is nothing in your sight; certainly every man at his very best is only vanity. So be it.
All of our life is just a vain show, even our troubles and sorrow mean nothing; we heap up riches but cannot know who will gather them.
And now, Lord, what is there to wait for?
My hope is in You.
Deliver me from my weakness, don’t let the fools have me for a joke.
I spoke not, couldn’t open my mouth, because You had me do it.
Free me now and let me speak, I understand the power of your hand.
When You correct a man’s mistakes, You show how ugly he has been; what he thought was strength was only vanity. So be it.
Hear my new prayer, Lord, and listen as I cry.
My tears are all I have to give, for I am a penniless stranger in your sight; I am only a traveler passing through as were all before me. Spare me for a little while, that I may gather my strength before I move on and am on this earth no more.
We must all come to this place of sorrow and loss sooner or later but not everyone comes to the realization of the truth of it before it’s too late. Many live a lifetime of denial about our biggest shortcoming and are taken by surprise at the end. It might have been a happy, well lived life but we are on a path that leads to more and we have finally come to the truth that can set us free. We hope for eternity and we are looking for the assurance right now that the promise of eternity should bring.
This lesson is about action and we are being asked to see something before we can move on. We are always asking for guidance and advice, but do we have the equipment to use it? We feel the despair of the last lesson but what are we supposed to do with that sorrow? We believe the truth will set us free so we look for freedom in this lesson. We must have ears to hear, and a willingness to listen (Jn 6:24). We continue in the certainty of our own death because it gives us freedom from the burdens of living while allowing us to continue to grow. We must look for the honor that comes from God, not from men (Jn. 6:44).
What we are supposed to see is that every moment is a precious gift and in the present is the door to eternity. Live this moment for all it is worth, for all you can. Look for ways to remember youself at this moment and learn to never let it go. Our tears are all we have to give but we do not seek to cry more: we dedicate our sorrow to learning the path of eternal life. The riches, glory and honor of this world are fleeting and cause for vanity, but our sorrow is real and can transform us. As we grow older, we learn to savor the moment while causes for sorrow grow and the choice is always before us. Transform your sorrow into compassion and find joy in patience.
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