A Lit Fuse

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“The essence of ‘nowness’ runs like fire along the fuse of  time….at this very moment, your timeline is on fire—racing down the seconds, minutes, and hours toward its inevitable conclusion.” (Stu Weber).

I read that line from the book Infinite Impact in a very crowded cafeteria as my kids, along with several others from their high school, were preparing to try out for the All-State band yesterday afternoon.

The chatter of hundreds of kids, as well as the sound of many instruments being played immediately faded and I just  stared at those words.

Wow.

Our ladies Bible study is currently studying Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore and last week, we looked at James 4:14, which says, “You are really but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears (into thin air).” (Amplified).

Yet, those sobering words did not hit me with the same force that the image of a lit fuse of dynamite did.

That is fast!

And that is how fast my life (and yours!) is rushing by.

Because I always have at least two books going at the same time, I am also reading The End by Mark Hitchcock, which is a very thoughtful, balanced, and biblically sound look at Bible prophecy and the end of days. (I highly recommend it). While the Bible explicitly forbids date-setting for Christ’s Second Coming, we are to be aware of the signs of the times…and on God’s prophetic calendar, it is very late indeed.

All of this has been reminding me of how brief my time on earth truly is and how much I want my one short life to count for Christ’s glory.

That is only goal in life that truly matters.

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17, italics added).

I want to be much more conscious of that lit fuse that is racing toward one of two conclusions: my death or the Rapture  (which I truly believe could come at any second). Either way, I will come face to Face with Jesus Himself.

Just as the thought of a lit fuse of dynamite promotes a sense of urgency, I want to have that same urgency in my heart every single day.

Jesus is waiting for me at the finishing line, be that today or fifty years from now.

I have His joyous Spirit living inside my heart. He is guiding me through this life, one step at a time. He is working out His plan. He picks me up when I fall. He answers my prayers. He reveals Himself to me in His Word every single day. He holds the span of my life, my very breath in His hands. He is praying for me. He is preparing my place in Heaven. He longs for the day when we are face to face.

What more do I need?

The image of that lit fuse has put a new fire in my heart, new steel in my soul.

Whatever I am facing, I can do it in His strength, knowing that He is holding onto me and there are a great cloud of witnesses cheering me on as I run the race that Jesus has marked out for me. (Hebrews 12:1).

More than anything, I want to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21).

As Beth Moore has said in her famous southern twang: “It ain’t all that long.” 

Every day is one day closer to Home.

He made us for Himself
So that we should travel with Him
And see Him  at the end in His unveiled beauty
In the abiding city
Where there is light and happiness and endless home.
—Bede Jarrett