Summer is over, and 2023 has been extra hot.
But Autumn, Fall, or whatever word you like
Well, it begins today. 09/23/23… I can say, Whew!
I’m so glad you’re here!
A long time ago, at least several years back,
I prayed and asked for a specific word or thought
Unique to each day. Prayers work, remember that.
Today, it is no different. Two thoughts.
One for Sunday, and it’s been brewing for a while.
Another one for today. Can I keep them separated?
Let’s see… I’ll try.
This morning, a song kept percolating on the edges of brain heat.
I searched and googled and found there are many songs with similar lyrics.
Words that were burbling on the edges of my mind.
It seems everyone has thought about life when you reach the end.
End of the day, way, road, or even a last breath.
May I ask, what will be yours?
I think of those who have left this temporal load
And reached a place of which we only dream and hope exists.
As they reach their last breath, they’ve reached the end of their way.
We pray and hope it’s sudden, without lingering pain or suffering.
Oh, and this means so much to me.
You better keep your farewells uttered
Think them through before you say them
And mean them with all your heart.
You don’t want to leave life undone.
From the cross, seven final statements are uttered.
Woman, behold your son. He looks to John. Behold your mother.
I thirst!
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?
Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.
Father, into your hands I commit My Spirit.
It is finished.
Those last words recorded in John speak to me loudly.
Words of closure. Famous last words. The era is done.
The sun will set behind the darkness.
A great shaking will rattle the earth.
And now, the race is run. It’s over.
It is finished.
Of course, we know the story. It was not finished.
It was just beginning. 50 some odd days later,
A new era will commence. The Spirit will infill.
Lives will be changed. A new commission springs outward.
It’s not over until every nation around the globe is reached.
Make disciples…not converts…Walk life as Jesus walked.
When this season of life is finished,
Our race of life is done,
There will come a new day,
We will acknowledge another ending.
He comes back and says again. It’s finished.
No one will know the day and hour (Matthew 24:36)
Nor will we know the times or seasons (Acts 1:7)
But Paul’s last words to Timothy give us a command to follow.
I wonder, could we even live life as Paul?
Preach the word!
Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,
but according to their own desires,
because they have itching ears,
they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things,
endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 NKJV
Follow his standard passed to Timothy.
And then, perhaps only then, you can stop worrying
What your final words may have been…
…When you reach your end.
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!