There is a certain blog post I wrote in October: a picture worth a thousand words. So… I got to find out which movie it was; in the most sentimental – even poetic way ever.

The movie starred: Audrey Hepburn, one of the most renowned movie stars in the film industry to-date. And I gotta admit before we proceed any further, that she was one helluva beautiful woman.

After watching the movie, I did a quick google search on her and I noticed both the years of her birth and death.

Subsequently, I also found photos of her arranged in a timeline of the number of years she lived leading up to her death, and thought to myself: she must have aged gracefully. But what do I really know?

Anyway, as I looked at the timeline, contrasting the years, I thought to myself: time is truly fleeting. To me, this photo timeline of her brought out this reality so clearly once again this year because just by observing it, she moved from 24 years, to 28 years, to 34 years, to 40 years, to 47 years, and finally to 64 years in a blink of an eye.

And as I wondered about her life, it made me evaluate mine as well. And again I thought: time is fleeting. (Something I noted in my 2021 timeline last year December as well.)

Yet, it is interesting how we never see this. We somehow assume that we have all the time in the world — whereas we really don’t.

Most of us, if we are honest, live our lives in the most carefree, if not reckless, way possible; as though we have a redo/start-all-over again button somewhere.

And in this carefree living, we foolishly mar our bodies and mindsets with all sorts of vain indulgences: premarital sex, alcohol, idolatry, smoking, drugs, pornographic materials, hunger for power, greed, lusts, and all other forms of sin in the name of ‘Y.O.L.O., having a good time or living in the moment‘.

And hey, it is not like I am also speaking seated somewhere on some self-righteous chair looking down on others because I too, have my own record of sins more than a mile long.

Rather, speaking from a place of understanding – after seeing my true reflection from God’s word – that life is too precious for it to be lived in just any casual, nonchalant, almost throwing the dice kind of manner.

Life is extremely precious and sacred. And wasting it on vanity and self-gain is the truest tragedy. Because if we are truly in tune with the world around us, we should recognize that something is amiss: the suffering, the hurt, the pain, the broken world, the suicides, the chaos and disorder — then strive to be a part of the healing somehow by using the gifts God has granted us to do it.

I do not know about Audrey Hepburn: what she lived for, who she believed in, or even what her purpose was. She must have probably been the sensation of her time.

What I know however, is that today, she is dead with very little being said of her. What she did with her life (after all is said and done on earth), she will also give an account to God.

My point is: each and every one of us has some time alloted to us by God.

‘What are we doing with it’ should be the question I would like to leave us all here contemplating today. Where are our hearts? What are we investing all our life and energy in? What are we devoted to: heart, mind, body and soul? And whatever it is, does it have eternal value or is it just for momentarily gratification and self preservation?

God has given us all time; some, more time than others. Yet, as I analyze this interesting phenomenon, I find that it is not really about the number of years one is granted, but the quality of life lived.

The tragedy of life would be wasting that precious time He has given us sowing into things that do not count for anything eternally.

Psalm 90 (Amplified Bible)

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten (seventy years)–or even, if by reason of strength, fourscore years (eighty years); yet is their pride [in additional years] only labor and sorrow, for it is soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger? [Who worthily connects this brevity of life with Your recognition of sin?] And Your wrath, who connects it with the reverent and worshipful fear that is due You?

And because I trust Jesus’ outlook and view of this life – out of all men and women to have ever walked on this earth – I, as well, see the reality of one of His parables when He calls us stewards.

In this parable, Jesus communicates that He is the master of all things including: time, wealth, riches, and power. And soon, He will come again to require an account of it all from each and everyone of us.

That being so, life basically becomes a test for eternity. If we are blessed to live up to 100 years, then we will have more time to fully maximise on the gifts He has given to us: not to bring glory and honor to ourselves— but to Him.

And if we live for personal gain, for fame, for man’s praise: then Jesus said, He will not entrust us with the things that are of way more value.

And He further remarks: if we are unfaithful in the little things (things of earthly value), how then can He entrust us with greater things (things of the kingdom of God)?

Time is fleeting.

The psalmist numbers man’s years to be approximately seventy years, eighty utmost. And this is incomparable with eternity, where we will spend all our lives: either in hell or in heaven; given the choices we make and what we do with our lives while here on earth.

And as it stands, we are already living on borrowed time since Jesus has been gone almost two thousand years now.

We are already at a tipping point if we weigh the times we are living in today with John’s words (which he wrote two thousand years ago):

1 John 2

17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.
18 Boys (lads), it is the last time (hour, the end of this age). And as you have heard that the antichrist [he who will oppose Christ in the guise of Christ] is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, which confirms our belief that it is the final (the end) time.
26 I write this to you with reference to those who would deceive you [seduce and lead you astray].
27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].
28 And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming.

Lord, teach us to examine our lives and our service to You and to others, so that we may be found spotless when You return, and be numbered among the faithful servants.

Amen &

Happy Holidays!

♣

Okay… Let’s just be honest, whenever most people hear anything about religion, their first reaction and instinct is probably to cringe or brush off the whole matter entirely.

Why? Most likely because it is a subject that is associated with extreme cases of fanaticism, it brings about a lot of conflicts and controversies, and even offends easily.

Religion is famously known for: manipulation, stagnation, repression, ignorance, bigotry and is too often a threat to liberty. And rightly so. I do agree. With that said, I recommend you to read two of my posts as well as encourage you to do a personal, extensive, and honest research on your own regarding this matter. Why?

As intellectuals (critical thinkers), I believe we owe it to ourselves to interrogate, examine, and ask hard questions regarding matters touching on faith rather than choosing to ignore them or even worse— follow blind faith. Click here for the first post.

Who speaks the truth with regards to a genuine, sincere and true relationship with God? Is it Buddha? Muhammad? Jesus? Zoroaster? Confucius? Joseph Smith? Guru Nanak? Krishna? Among others? Find out on this second post:

My heart overflows with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalms 45:1

Thank you for reading this blog. Feel free to share it with others whenever and wherever.🙂

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