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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BUG (04/06/17)
Time Flies

Did you know the life expectancy of a common fly is only fifteen to twenty-five days? Some insects have considerably longer life spans, for example a queen termite may live for up to two decades. On the other hand, a mayfly, whose sole purpose is to hatch and reproduce, may live from thirty minutes to twenty-four hours. All examples are incredibly short, when considered in human terms.

If I woke one morning just as I am right now, and was told I had just one day to live, what would I do with that time? I wouldn’t have time to travel a far distance to see something I have always wanted to see. I don’t think I would want to waste too much time calling family and friends I haven’t seen in years. I imagine this scenario would be different for everyone, depending on their life circumstances.

For me, I imagine I would spend the first hour or so, just collecting my thoughts, facing the reality before me. I believe I would shed some tears for the experiences I know I will miss, but I don’t believe it would be long before I remembered that soon I would be in the presence of the Father. That promise would make the next twenty-three hours pass much easier. I wonder if a non-believer could find that same peace. Hopefully they would spend their last hours getting right with God.

Once I accepted my fate, I believe I would want my husband and children around me, so they would have to cancel work, school, whatever they were doing to be with me. If my son were still in the Navy stationed in California, I would pray he could fly home to see me. Otherwise, I would use our modern convenience of ‘Face-time’ and speak with him on the phone. I would want to spend that time with family telling each one how much I love them and how much they mean to me. If there were any hard feelings, I would seek forgiveness, and give forgiveness freely. As I write and ponder this, the Lord just pricked my heart on that last line.

I imagine I might enjoy some of my favorite foods, without guilt! Cheesy lasagna and glorious bread, followed by mint chocolate chip ice cream…Yes, that wouldn’t take much time and if I have my loved ones around me, it would be all that much better.

No matter what I would do or where I would go, I would hope I would tell every stranger I came into contact with about Jesus, and how I was going to be with Him very soon (He just pricked my heart again). I would remind them of how short time can be, and that no minute should be wasted. I would tell them of His great love for them, and that they can have the same joy as me. I would openly rejoice because I would soon be in His presence.

I imagine I would like my last hour to be on a mountaintop watching the sun set, by myself. I would take that time to reflect on the joy of the day, and sit in thankfulness and humility for the blessings I had during this short time (Yes, He just pricked my heart again). I would sit in awe over the glorious landscape spanned out before me. I would take in the glory of His magnificent creation, knowing the next time I open my eyes I’ll be in Heaven, and witness a beauty that I never could have imagined.

As I finish writing this, I am humbled. I am thankful for the life I have. I know my grumblings will return, and I probably have many more tears to shed. But if even for just a moment, my heart has been touched by the Savior, once again.

And I imagine I will never look at a fly the same way…
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Member Comments
Member
Date
LaVonne Wood
04/14/17
Yes, time is so short and we all need to think about how we should spend our days here on earth. Thanks for reminding us. Blessing, LaVonne
Larry Whittington
04/20/17
This is a very thoughtful piece. One that not everyone would choose to write about (maybe because of what they would see ahead).

I liked your openness when the Holy Spirit was talking to you. What I would like to be able to say every time that happened, is I followed through with my thoughts or intended actions. I can't. Shame on me. Yes, I would like the people I meet to want to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sin so when they stood before God's judgment seat they would have nothing separating them from God. It is our sin that separates us.

Again, well written thoughtful piece.