One afternoon when our older son was only three years old we were heading south from Nairobi when suddenly a giraffe started running alongside our car. Its lanky trot was beautiful to behold when Eric exclaimed, “Never in all my life have I seen something like that.” Well, me either. But my lifespan and his were just a tad different. Jesus’ promise to us of eternal life (see John 3:16) presents an interesting possible scenario. We are three thousand years old when we get to see an amazing super nova explosion. Turning to a traveling companion who predates us by a million or so years I say, “Never in all my life have I ever seen something like that.” Laughing at my innocent youth he says, “Actually, neither have I. Didn’t Paul say something to Timothy about not allowing others to despise our youth?
So much about life is relative. I have a friend with a very old chocolate lab. The gray muzzled guy has had a long life of sixteen years. Jesus pointed out a poor widow who gave a mite to the temple and told us she gave so much more than the rich who gave out of their wealth. While teaching in Russia one of my students invited us home. He and his wife were very proud of their home. It was a very large metal culvert converted for living by building a wall on each end. For them it was a mansion compared to most of their neighbors.
The next time we are feeling pretty good about our goodness we need to remind ourselves that Jesus was perfect and our righteousness is like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) But the good news is despite that. He covers us!! Merry Christmas to us!
Spring Of Life