Dots On The Line Segment Of Life

Life is like a line segment with lots of dots on it. It has a beginning and an end here on Earth. But if we look at the bigger picture, that line segment is part of a ray. Our lives on the other side of the grave go on for all eternity. Where will you spend that part of your life?

Recently, we had one birth, one death, and one milestone birthday in our family. And although the death was a much-loved pet, this really made me think about what so many of us call the “circle of life.”

There was great joy, lots of tears, sorry and loss, celebrating and blowing candles out on a cake all around me lately.

For me, this brought lots of introspection!

The Circle Of Life?

It amazes me to think that every day across the world, people are living, dying, celebrating, grieving, and experiencing everything in between. We are all touched by the fragility, brevity, and wonder of life as it moves steadily forward.

One day or even one minute can change everything. Life is uncertain.

If we are not careful, we can forget that more of our life will be lived on the other side of the grave than right here and now. For we were made for eternity.

There is really no circle of life, for life is not a circle at all! It does not go “round and round.” I think life is more like a geometric ray. It has a starting point and then goes to infinity and beyond (to quote Buzz Lightyear).

Let’s Talk Geometry

On the “ray” of our lives, there are hundreds, maybe even millions, of points, like in geometry, that mark time in our daily lives. They dot our lives with both the mundane and the significant.

Each of us had a starting point, too. And just like our beloved Hobbes the cat, there will be a point that marks our death.

All the living we do between birth and death makes up what could be seen as a line segment. Some segments are longer. Some are marked by different experiences. But all of them are finite.

David said…

You (God) created my innermost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

God, who created the universe, had a personal hand in creating you. Your life is not an accident.

David’s response to God’s miraculous work was…

I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

And God said to Israel, when they were about to face great pain…

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

God’s Good Plan For Us

Our wonderful Creator not only intentionally and intimately made each of us, but He also made a good plan to go along with our lives!

This is something that we must always remember no matter what life brings our way! God is not surprised or buffeted by life! He is the Creator and Owner of it! He is the One that gives it freely to us! And He and He alone is sovereign over it!

We live in a very broken world right now. It’s often hard to see things through God’s lens of eternity. But do not be deceived. God is in control. He has been and will forever be in control!

In this world, there is suffering alongside joy, trials alongside triumphs, corruption alongside goodness, and death alongside life. It is only in Christ that we have the strength to endure life and enter eternity as great victors!

A New Creation

The bulk of our life will not be spent on this earth. We were created for eternity.

Why wait until death to live for eternity? Something wonderful happens when we turn from sin, believe in Jesus as Lord, and give our lives to Him. We become a new person.

The old life is gone, a new life has begun. 2 Corinthians 5:17

In Jesus, you become a new creation.

For we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Jesus Christ, so we can do the good things He planned for us all along. Ephesians 2:10

You will become someone who can face anything life brings with strength. Because when you belong to Jesus, He gives you great power—the Holy Spirit. He is your help, your strength, and your comfort. You are never alone.

Life Is Messy, Clean It Up

Life may not be pretty or easy. It is messy and hard. And when we reach the end of our line segment, we may be totally used up!

But if we trust Jesus for our eternity, God promises us victory! 

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13

If your life is a circle, get off the hamster wheel. Know and believe that you were lovingly made for so much more! YOU were made for eternity. 

Something to think about…

For we are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Jesus Christ so we can do the good things He planned for us all along. Ephesians 2:10

Happy Sunday, friends…