In the imaginary horizon of time, what is the measurement of the life of a human? It is so small and insignificant that if there existed a calibrator to measure it, it would be to a nanometric reading. In simpler terms, let’s say that it is very small. We could almost assure that life is as an illusion or a thought. Regarding the briefness of life, the word of God says: “Remember how fleeting is my life…” (Psa 89:47, NIV). This is the plead of a creature to the creator of the universe. Also: “… we finish our years with a moan.” (Psa 90:9).

            Making an allusion to how fleeting and ephemeral the life of men is, the word of God says: “Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath…my days are swifter than a runner… they skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey.” (Job 7:7, 9:25-26). In all of these different ways of describing life, we can see the speed at which our days on Earth go by, and to some the days are even shorter than to others; they die younger.

Now, understanding life’s character of being short does not take away from the importance of its intrinsic value, to the contrary, knowing that my days/years are so short-lived, should drive me to a truly wise and prudent use of my time, because the waste of time takes a toll on our life. Moses told God to “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psa. 90:12). Yes, wisdom to occupy the time of our lives.

Whatever I do during the time of my physical existence has repercussions in our other life. The men who do not have God do not comprehend this mystery. Satan, the enemy of our souls, takes advantage of this ignorance in order to distract the soul and the life of men while they live. Satan turns them into a philosophic vagabond making them experience a true illusion filled with pleasures and amusement, therefore trapping the precious life of men. Due to this, David’s plea to the Lord is: “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.” (Psa 39:4-6),

 

Strangers and Travelers

The Holy word described the believers throughout time as travelers and peregrines. We’re simply not of this world. Our beginnings and reasons for living are totally different to the motives of those who do not believe. We search for that which does not belong to this life and this time. We look for riches, but not the material ones, instead spiritual. For these reasons Jesus also said: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (Jn 17:16). When Christ comes into our lives, what drives our daily life and our goals becomes greatly opposite to what drives the rest of the world.

Let us understand that spark which ignites all intentions as a motivation for life, but to live as the Holy Sprit of God indicates. My vision in life stops being material and human, to become a powerful spiritual force that drives me, even though my flesh may object, to do and find the things that pertain to eternal life.

We desire the celestial city that has the fundaments whose architect and constructor is God. We search for another nationality and citizenship, which is celestial. The believer lives through their peregrination in this world with a continual life of fear and reverence to God. They go about in a Holy and humble life, applying in their own lives the principles in which Jesus Christ lived; we place him as the ultimate example that we should imitate.

Through Christ we are constituted sons of God, therefore we are inhabitants of that celestial city because just as He is celestial, so shall we be. We feel united through a sentimental connection to that city that we have never seen, but through faith we consider it to be ours; to an extent as to be citizens of heaven (Phi 3:20).

Therefore, my beloved brother, let us not be surprised that through this firm conviction and faith in the promises of our good God and savior Jesus Christ, we will be vituperated scorned, and offended by those who do not understand us. Jesus lived these experiences and warned us saying: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (Jn 17:14).

            To sum up, if your treasure is in the heavens, let us not toil for worldly things such as what to wear and what to eat; instead seek first for the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. May God open our eyes and ears. May God bless you. Amen.