Vapor

     My health has been fairly good especially during the first forty years of my life.  Major issues became apparent after I turned fifty years of age.  Then, my only heart attack, so far, came at the age of fifty-two.  Since that time, there have been a few "close calls" when it could have gone either way, but so far, I am still here.  Nothing, however, is a guarantee especially in the area of life.  I say this, because yesterday, we were notified of a death in our church and the man that passed away was fifty three years of age.  The news came unexpectedly and was a bit of a shock to many people of the church.  James 4:13-14 says, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."  
      This recent event came as a reminder of the brevity of life.  It reminds us that we are all just a heartbeat away from death itself.  James issued a warming to us that while we make our plans, nothing is sure that we are going to even be here in order to fulfill our issues.  James explains that our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  The brevity of life has led me to both preach and sing as if it were my last words or song on earth.  There are perhaps many things that one wants to say but often puts them off until tomorrow thinking that tomorrow will come and you would be able to do this things you missed yesterday.  James reminds us that procrastination is dangerous because we have no control over our life.  We can eat all of the health food we want, make sure we have green vegetables, walk every day and take our handfuls of vitamins and other medications only to find that when God calls us home, we don't argue with Him, we just go.  There is no saying, "Wait a minute." or "I'm almost ready."  When the time arrives, you go.  So, if you are in the habit of putting things off until a more convenient time, you should change your ways and keep a very short list of things to do.  Do what you can today.  Say what you can today.  Share the gospel with those you want to hear it, today.  Pray for those who have put off making a decision for Christ, today.  God gives us the opportunities to do His work in this place until He calls us home.  So, don't neglect what He has given you to do.  Tomorrow may be too late.  Praise God that He knows the future for each and every soul.