Saturday, June 25, 2011

Just a Vapor

I saw something yesterday that I don't think I have ever seen before.  It was hot, especially after mowing and weed-eating the lawn.  A quick dip in our pool seemed like the logical thing to do and it was too tempting to pass up.  After I had balanced myself in the "floaty thing", I began to relax and just gaze up into the sky.  As I did, there were a few vapor clouds that were passing by overhead.  Just like a kid, I began to make shapes out of them and let my imagination be stretched a little.  As the vapor cloud was moved by the wind, I made out the shape of a dolphin, spider and then it became a star-burst.  As I continued to enjoy thinking like a child, it happened.  I began to notice that the vapor cloud started to disappear.  One after another, each vapor cloud began to vaporize.  It wasn't instant but it took probably close to a minute.  It seemed to be gradual but each cloud disappeared into thin air.  It was intriguing because I had never seen a cloud just vanish before my eyes.  It happens all the time, but I had never really been still long enough to recognize it. 

My mind began to think about what I just saw.  I thought of what James tells us about our lives.
James 4:14 (NKJV) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

As I thought of the clouds disappearing so quickly, I really began to think about how quickly our lives go by as well.  It made be think of the study by Max Lucado we are doing in our men's group on Wednesday nights ~ "Out Live Your Life".  It reminds us that we only have one life to live and challenges us to make our life count by living out what the Bible instructs us to do. 

 Many times, I believe, that we forget that our lives, just like the vapor clouds, will slowly go away.  When all is said and done, how have we lived our lives?  Have we made a difference?  Have we encouraged and helped others?  Have we lived a life pleasing to the Lord?  Will we hear those wonderful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?  Remember, our lives here on earth are just a vapor.  Live your life to the fullest and make a difference.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Just a Vapor

I saw something yesterday that I don't think I have ever seen before.  It was hot, especially after mowing and weed-eating the lawn.  A quick dip in our pool seemed like the logical thing to do and it was too tempting to pass up.  After I had balanced myself in the "floaty thing", I began to relax and just gaze up into the sky.  As I did, there were a few vapor clouds that were passing by overhead.  Just like a kid, I began to make shapes out of them and let my imagination be stretched a little.  As the vapor cloud was moved by the wind, I made out the shape of a dolphin, spider and then it became a star-burst.  As I continued to enjoy thinking like a child, it happened.  I began to notice that the vapor cloud started to disappear.  One after another, each vapor cloud began to vaporize.  It wasn't instant but it took probably close to a minute.  It seemed to be gradual but each cloud disappeared into thin air.  It was intriguing because I had never seen a cloud just vanish before my eyes.  It happens all the time, but I had never really been still long enough to recognize it. 

My mind began to think about what I just saw.  I thought of what James tells us about our lives.
James 4:14 (NKJV) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

As I thought of the clouds disappearing so quickly, I really began to think about how quickly our lives go by as well.  It made be think of the study by Max Lucado we are doing in our men's group on Wednesday nights ~ "Out Live Your Life".  It reminds us that we only have one life to live and challenges us to make our life count by living out what the Bible instructs us to do. 

 Many times, I believe, that we forget that our lives, just like the vapor clouds, will slowly go away.  When all is said and done, how have we lived our lives?  Have we made a difference?  Have we encouraged and helped others?  Have we lived a life pleasing to the Lord?  Will we hear those wonderful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?  Remember, our lives here on earth are just a vapor.  Live your life to the fullest and make a difference.