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Message summary: A consideration of the temporariness of life.

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“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14).

Over the last two days we visited Saint Michaels, a small Maryland fishing village on Chesapeake Bay. We had a great time riding bike trails and sightseeing and will share some photos today and tomorrow. Through the years we have enjoyed various visits to the eastern shore, the part of Maryland that is east of the Chesapeake Bay. It's so different from the rest of Maryland!

Years ago we attended a Pastor’s Retreat at Sandy Cove, also along Chesapeake Bay, but way farther north.  I got up shortly after sunrise, took a short walk, and then walked out to the end of a long dock. Not a cloud was in the sky and the radiant sun made the still water in the bay appear as shining glass. I stood looking out over the dock for a few minutes enjoying the peaceful view of the clear waters. The scenic view was a sharp contrast to the fields of corn that I see every day at home in my neighborhood! (Although the corn was harvested while we were away this week!)

But within minutes the bright aquatic scene evaporated as a heavy fog enveloped the area, completely obscuring the inspirational view I was taking in as I awakened that morning.  The reflective glassy water turned into cloudy steam rising.  It lasted for a short time and then lifted but I managed to take the above photo.

When I think about the early morning fog a song comes to mind that especially moves me into grateful worship toward God. “Be Unto Your Name” is a worshipful song that contrasts God’s time perspective to our finite earthbound way of reckoning time:

Songwriters Lynne DeShazzo and Gary Sadler share their thoughts about the process of writing this song:

James writes of this in our daily text: “Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” Another version states, “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” Based upon our present comprehension of time this may be hard to grasp although I notice time seems to move a lot faster as I’m quickly rolling along in the life cycle.

Some years ago an acquaintance, whose daughter gave birth to premature twin granddaughters, contacted us. It was a very sad note telling us that one baby had already died and the other (at last notice) was just clinging to life. He shared this perspective:

In re-reading his note I am intrigued by his phrase, “her place in what we currently call life.” His wording brings about an interesting spiritual perspective. I consider Paul’s challenge in 1 Timothy 6:19 to “take hold of the life that is truly life”. Of course he is speaking of eternal life as we “lay up treasure as a firm foundation for the coming age”.

Jeremiah wrote, “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King” (Jeremiah 10:10). Three words describe the immutable God of the universe; true, living and eternal.

Consider each of these bedrock adjectives (true, living, eternal) in light of the shifting sands of this world and life as we know it. They're just as valid in describing God today as they were 2,600 years ago, for God does not change. They describe the One who said “I am the God of…” The present tense is always necessary in describing the true, living and eternal God. He always “is”.

The song I quoted in the earlier part of the message goes on to proclaim,

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber