“And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:23-24 KJV)
I was talking with a friend who is battling a physical condition. I admire him the way He is fighting his battle because of the fact that it has not altered his faith in God or changed his hope for the future. He never sounds down and his yearning to continue serving the Lord all the days of his life persists and that is indeed inspirational. His disposition is directly opposite of those who stop serving God because of very minor trials, meaningless things, or minute tests, stuff that does not even qualify to be labeled as a setback. Back to my friend. He is open about what he is going through, and he is also optimistic about the future. Although I am a few years older than him, he spoke some words that caught my attention and I actually felt that what he shared should be communicated to others I care about. So, let me share with you how he summed up his experiences. His words were straightforward and short, “It’s just real life.”
Real life will have its test and its trials, it’s afflictions and the adversary’s temptation to let whatever we are going through make us lose our zeal for God and our desire to worship with the people of God in His special presence. Real life can put you down some time and perhaps you may find yourselves dealing with the transitional changes that come with the blessing of living more time as your days roll on. Real life demands a real fight at times. My friend is up for it. Are you? Let’s be sure. You see real life demands faith in God. My friend’s faith has not faltered. How about yours? Real life demands dealing with changes that we all shall inevitably face. How are you doing with your changes?
My friend’s words and his examples reminded me, and so I am reminding you, to go through every day of your real life with God and serve Him with all you have while you can. Changes will come on our real life journey but don’t let that change your commitment to the climb. Don’t let that impact your sense of duty and determination! Real life continues every day, every morning the Lord wakes you up and starts you on your way! Therefore, as long as you have breath in your body, desire to serve Him with all the might that you have!
We have the example of Enoch in the opening verses, highlighting one who walked with God over his long years of his life. He surely must have known how to handle real life.
Judging by the morning news in most of our big cities, the sad reports of gun violence, involving children at the teenage stage of life, our young people need to refer to the advice below in our closing verses. Pass this meditation on to them about real life. At least copy the passage below and email that portion to them, please.
Finally, regardless of whether you or young or if you have a few miles on the odometer of your real life, find meaning in both today’s passages! Keep the faith! Fight the good fight! Actively, not verbally, but actively run the race to the best of your ability. Think on these things!
I’m done! But not before I thank God for letting us see this Tuesday morning! Let us agree to go through this “real life,” no matter what is happening, regardless of our situation or our circumstance, and press on with a continued servant of the Lord disposition! Be encouraged in your personal “real life” situation, my friend, and of course… “Be blessed!”
“Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So, refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless. Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.” Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9- 12:7 The Message Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King