THE BREVITY OF LIFE

I'm reminded again of the brevity of life,
Of how swiftly the years pass us by.
Whether we spend them in health or in strife
Matters not, so quickly they fly.

The hair turns to silver from black, blond, red or gray,
And the skin grows wrinkled with age,
And old friends we have known one by one pass away
To become simply names on a page.

How swiftly it passes, this life here below,
Like the grass of the field, it's soon gone.
We who remain for a time will soon go
To be with those in the Lord who've gone on.

And those who don't know Him will pass on, as well,
But not to an eternal reward;
Nay, but to an eternity of torment in hell
Because they despised and rejected God's Word.

So which will it be for you when you die?
(For die each one of us must)
Will you be with Jesus in a mansion on high?
In His blessed Name do you trust?

Or are you condemned to the darkness of hell
By your own unbelief and by choice?
Come to Jesus, my friend, and all will be well,
Make the angels of heaven rejoice.

Don't put off the decision until it's too late.
Come now, while there is still time.
Don't let yourself slide through into hell's broad gate.
There no peace for your soul will you find.

Be ready to meet Jesus when your time comes to die.
Be with all the dear saints who've gone on;
Meet your loved ones in heaven in the sweet by and by.
Put you faith and your trust in God's Son.

I'm reminded again of the brevity of life,
Of just how short and how narrow the span.
Consider, my friend, and come to the Light.
Come to Jesus while you still can.

August 25, 1993-March 11, 1994

(Begun during the funeral service for my old and good friend, Elwood Clark, in the Keswick United Baptist Church, August 25, 1993.)
  Copyright © 1994 by A. Franklin Staples