Ben franklin famously wrote “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. And while I certainly think that this is an oversimplification, it still does ring true.

One hundred percent of those who read this blog post will eventually die; that is a fact! Regardless of their stellar gene pool, workout regimen and diet, one day they will indeed, perish. It is unmistakably unavoidable. Choosing to ignore the topic of the brevity of life in no way changes the fact: death is coming to us all.

Human beings are quite unusual when compared to the animal kingdom (and this is because we are made in the image of God which is a topic for another day), and in more ways than just one. Specifically, however, I am referring to the fact that human beings fully understand that they are temporal, finite, beings. Beings who, for all their great accomplishments, in no way can extend their time on this earth, indefinitely. It is truly remarkable that humans wake up, go to work; laugh; play; love; hate; and so on and so forth, all the while knowing full well that they cannot escape the finitude of their own life.

Over the last week or so, several deaths have made the headlines. First was R. Lee Ermey, an actor known for his role in Full Metal Jacket (and a plethora of other roles in films and television, including Toy Story!). He was 74.

The next death was that of Harry Anderson, of Night Court fame. I can still remember watching Night Court when I was a kid. The character he played was silly, but I loved it. And that he did magic tricks was a bonus (he actually was a magician in “real life”). Harry Anderson was 65.

Barbara Bush, the former First Lady to President George H. Bush, and mother to President George W. Bush, was the next death that pinged on my phone as notification after notification from every major news app that I have installed in my phone filled up my screen. Tributes began pouring in, which honestly, made my heart glad. It is nice to see some honest, non-partisan, kind words. Barbara Bush was 92.

Lastly, and without a doubt, most heartrending, was Jennifer Riordan. Jennifer unfortunately, was the passenger on Southwest Flight 1380 who tragically lost her life when one of the plane’s engines malfunctioned causing debris to puncture the plane. She was a wife, mother and successful in her occupation. Jennifer Riordan was 43.

Death is unavoidable.

Rarely in the span of such a diminutive amount of time do we see headlines of those who died in such close succession, yet their dissimilarities abound all the more. Two were actors (and I would say they were successful actors). One, a prominent political matriarch. And the last, though unknown to the greater populace, nonetheless, she was known throughout her community, industry and family (and according to all accounts, a great person). Their ages, however, is what piqued my interest.

The youngest was only 43, which sounds too young to die in modern, scientifically and medically advanced, times. However, tell that to the countless parents who have children battling all forms of terrible cancers who would give anything to see their child make it to only 18. Perspective. The oldest was 92 which sounds much better. The other two, at 64 and 75 fall in the middle. Although, I read numerous comments on social media that 65 is “way too young to die”. The bottom line is no one, if they are being honest, wants to die.

The bible says, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes (James 4:14). And how true is that? Very.

Life is like a vapor, here one moment, gone the next. I did not fully realize this until I grew older. Oddly, it seems like just last week I was cruising around my hometown in my 1966 Chey II Nova, listening to a CD (remember what those are?) in my Panasonic CD player as the sound was pumped through a pair of Sony 6×9’s and a pair of Rockford Fosgate subs (and if all those descriptions do not date me, nothing will). The irony is, that was over 20 years ago. How could twenty-plus years go that fast? I do not know how, but they did. As I age, it is as if time is speeding up!

It is impossible to increase our time; yet it is possible to change what we do with our time. All the money, prestige, and power that this world offers cannot add to our time. We can exhaust ourselves, working diligently as possible; and that will not add time to our day. Each person has 1,440 minutes in their day. Factoring in time slept, eating, bathing and going to the restroom, not to mention working, there is not that much time leftover. Each person must ask this question: “What am I doing with my time?”

I have read numerous articles over the years, from varying perspectives, concerning what those who are dying, and looking back at their life, regret. And regardless of which article, not a single one  ever states that those persons looking back on their lives wish that that they would have done the following:

-Worked more

-Made more money

-Acquired more personal possessions

What is done with a person’s time, speaks volumes about that person; in fact, it speaks louder than anything that the person says. I can say that I am a “family man”, or that “I am committed to my faith”, or a host of other things, but if how I spend my time contradicts any of those statements, then I am a liar. Ouch.

How are you spending your time as of late?

Are you loving those that need to be loved? Are you showing grace and kindness to those who desperately need it?  How about smiling; are you smiling more than walking around looking like someone popped the only balloon you have ever had? Are you sharing your faith and hope in Jesus to those who have lost all hope, and even doubt the existence of a God who actually loves them?

Or perhaps, you cannot share about the hope you have in Jesus because you too, do not have that hope. Maybe “God stuff” is not for you, thinking you are far too intelligent to believe in fairy tales. Maybe you are staking your claim on a deathbed conversion at the age of 99; don’t bet on it.

The bible clearly teaches that this world is not all there is. In the gospel of John, these words are found: For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. I underlined eternal as a reminder that this physical life on earth is not all there is.

 Time continues to count down, for everyone. Death is no respecter of person, age, esteem, wealth, or you name it.

Do not waste your life on the wrong things; do not hesitate one more day, to make the decisions you know you need to make! You are not dead….yet!