You only live once!

“For when a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return.” Job 16:22.

As it says in the words of a song: “We’re only given this one time upon life’s path to tread.” We should see the seriousness of being alive. God has given us life, and we must give account for every single day of grace. We cannot turn back to the times already past. Now it is important to go on, to get as much as possible out of the time we have left. Little by little we move along the path we can never revisit.

It is good to meditate and to learn from things that could have been better. Peter writes about having an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11) We get that by being devoted in all the virtues of Christ. We should not forget that we were cleansed from our old sins. (2 Peter 1:5-9) If we forget that, we will also forget to walk in humility and fear.

There are sure to be many people who would like to turn back the wheels of time in order to correct something that should have been done or said differently. However, that is impossible. As far as it is possible, we need to ask God and people for forgiveness and then continue in a life that can become increasingly richer.

If we are on the roof when Jesus comes, we should be ready to meet Him there and not have to run down into the house and put things right in matters that were left unsaid or undone.

Paul had a great and glorious goal in view, and he ran toward it with everything that was in him. He also wanted the Ephesians to have this glorious goal before their eyes so that their zeal could become more perfect. In this race they needed the spirit of wisdom and revelation and enlightened eyes of the heart. Then the riches of the glory would become much greater. (Ephesians 1:17-20)

Now it is important to look ahead and up to the glory that is prepared for us. We cannot come back, and none of us knows for how long we will continue our race in this life here on earth. May our life always be in order so that we, like old Simeon, can say: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation …” Luke 2:29-30.