Beech Tree News Network

  A few years ago, I saw a picture that I have not forgotten. It was a picture of several friends who had gone on a hunt and had killed a tiger. The men were all smiles as they posed in the picture. It was a neat picture. The irony is that this picture was on the wall of a man who was an Alzheimer’s patient. The picture hanging on the wall meant nothing to him anymore. Yet, there are several things this “tiger picture” taught me.

    The “tiger picture” reveals the brevity of life. The picture I saw showed men in the “prime” of their lives. In a few years, though, those men in the picture changed, just as we all change! How things change so quickly in life! Proverbs 27:1 reminds us of this, as does Psalm 90:10-12. The Holy Spirit inspired James to write, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time, and then vanishes” (Jas. 4:14). The men in the picture aged as we all do. Life passed for them just as Moses, Solomon, and James said it would.

    When I think of those men in the “tiger picture,” I think of how circumstances change. How ironic that at least one of those men who posed in the picture could not even enjoy the memories of his hunt! Solomon spoke of this in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 as he wrote about the aging process and how things change physically in the body. Since we know we are here for only a limited time, are we using our time wisely, or wasting it (Eph. 5:16)? Circumstances change in our lives, but we have an eternal soul that must prepare for the life to come (Matt. 16:26)!

    Knowing that life changes, are we holding to God’s “unchanging hand”? Do we have “hope ... as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:19)? Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). He is unchanging in a changing world! Have we been baptized into Christ, and do we belong to His church (Acts 2:38-47)? Our lives change often, but Christ, salvation and the promise of a home in Heaven stand unchanging for those who are ready to live by faith!

    As pleasant as the picture was, it revealed nothing about the condition of souls. I guess this fact struck me hardest as I looked at the “tiger picture.” In like manner, one’s bank account, friends, family, name, occupation, house, and any other physical indicator does not reveal the condition of one’s soul! In fact, when we read passages such as Hebrews 11:38 and I Corinthians 1:18-31, we learn that God’s standard for “success” stands diametrically opposed to man’s standard. Therefore, who will we please while we live on earth? Will we please God or men? (Gal. 1:6-12)

    Friend, we will one day give account for the things we have done in the body (Rom. 14:12; Ecc. 12:13-14; II Cor. 5:10). Are we remembering who we are and our responsibilities to God? Don’t waste any more time! Obey God!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167