To understand and embrace the fleeting nature of our earthly life, to live in Christ and not in the world, and to prepare for our eternal rest in Jesus.
Good morning, family. Today, we're going to visit a somewhat overlooked gem in the Psalms, Psalm 39:1-13. This passage beautifully illustrates the transient nature of our life on Earth and the eternal promise of rest in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's about embracing the gift of our dash - you know, that little line between the date of our birth and the date of our death. It's about preparing for our eternal rest in Jesus and living in Christ, not the world. As the esteemed Christian author, Max Lucado, once said, "God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile."
The concept of embracing the gift of our dash is a metaphor that refers to the small line on a tombstone between the date of birth and the date of death. This dash, though small in size, represents the entirety of a person's life - their experiences, their joys, their sorrows, their achievements, and their failures. It's a reminder that our time on earth is finite, but the impact we make during this time can be infinite.
When we talk about embracing the gift of our dash, we're talking about truly living in the moment, making the most of every opportunity, and using our time, talents, and resources to serve God and others. It's about being fully present in our relationships, our work, our service, and our worship. It's about not just going through the motions, but truly engaging with life and with others.
However, embracing our dash is not just about what we do, but also about who we are. It's about developing our character, growing in our faith, and becoming more like Christ. It's about allowing God to shape us and mold us through our experiences, both good and bad. It's about learning to trust God in all circumstances, to rely on His strength in our weakness, and to rest in His love and grace.
Embracing our dash also means recognizing the transient nature of our earthly life and the eternal significance of our spiritual life. It's about understanding that our time on earth is but a brief moment in the grand scheme of eternity. It's about living with an eternal perspective, knowing that our true home is not here on earth, but in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This perspective changes how we view and interact with the world. It helps us to prioritize our time and resources according to God's kingdom values rather than worldly values. It helps us to live with a sense of purpose and urgency, knowing that we have a limited amount of time to fulfill God's purposes for our lives. It helps us to live with hope, knowing that our earthly struggles and sufferings are temporary, and that we have the promise of eternal life and rest in Jesus.
Embracing our dash is not always easy. It requires faith, courage, and perseverance. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to take risks, and to face challenges and obstacles. But it's also incredibly rewarding. It brings joy, peace, and fulfillment. It brings a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives. It brings us closer to God and helps us to grow in our relationship with Him.
Preparing for our eternal rest in Jesus is about recognizing that our time on earth is temporary and that our true home is with God in heaven ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO