Day 95.

My life is a list of memories, as is yours. Memories of childhood, of school, and growing up (with all its bumps and scrapes) there are long forgotten friends, falling in love (many times), the places I have dwelt, the people with whom I shared the journey for a time. The lives of all of us have heart aches, years of anguish, disappointments and shattered dreams. All of us have suffered turmoil, death of loved ones or friends. People have passed through our lives for good or bad. Tragedies have happened that will hurt our memories for years if not forever.
The future is not going to be any different. This is a fallen world and I hope your destiny lies in what is to come; that is my philosophy of life. Traveling through on my way to a better country (Hebrews 11:13). We live between the now and the not yet.

When we were young our lives were full of dreams; what we wanted to do or be, where we wanted to go. When we are old that all lies behind us. Our lives are made of yesterday’s memories and tomorrows dreams.

Some years ago, I took 2 weeks of my work to go and spend time alone and mark my new Bible. I booked into a motel at Narooma on the south coast of NSW. One day I was walking through the cemetery which was on the cliffs above the sea. I saw this massive 3m tall monument and wondered, “Who was that?” It had the usual “In Loving Remembrance” Thomas Taylor 18/3/25 aged 77. I thought, “With such a monument he must have been important!” Yes, I discovered as I read, he had been the mayor of Auburn. Long since forgotten! That is because those who remembered him are long since forgotten also! I noted all the plaques: “resting,” “asleep,” “At Rest,” “So dearly loved so sadly missed,” “Everlasting memories,” and so it went. Graves of young and old. Everyone of them had stories of pain, loss, and tragedy behind them. These were vain attempts to erect something permanent, complete with plastic flowers, pictures, and concrete.

My mind then, as it is now, was drawn to the sphinx of Hebrew literature. Some say it is the Joker of the Old testament pack because it was written by a man who decided that he would not ignore reality any longer. He confronted the absurdity of life. As I stood in the Narooma cemetery, 30 years ago, I said to myself, “Where they are, I will soon be and in the light of eternity what matters most to me?” What matters most to you? Have you accepted God’s offer? Maybe you would like to join a Zoom Bible study. I already have 2 going. Let me know!
Tomorrow – Solomons conclusion (and mine too).