“My times are in your hands.”
Today I invite you to read a few words from my friend, Mark Eckel. They are from an essay he wrote entitled, The Graveyard Schools the Schoolyard: Contemplation of Death for Education in Life."
History records that King Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, charged one of his slaves with a unique responsibility. The monarch instructed his vassal to awaken him each morning with these words, “Philip, remember, you must die.”
It is the brevity of life together with the longevity of death that gives one just cause to pause.
“Philip, remember you must die.”
These are not the words of doom and gloom. Rather, they are a sober reminder that life is too precious to squander. This is a lesson God often repeats:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1 ESV
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Psalm 39:5 ESV
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 ESV
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
Enough said! Lord, help us today to live with joy and purpose in light of our dead-line.
READ MORE. You can click here for more of Mark's essays. Reserve sufficient time to digest his thoughts. They are too good to hurry!
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“History records that King Philip of Macedon” from Mark Eckel, "The Graveyard Schools the Schoolyard: Contemplation of Death for Education in Life." www.warpandwoof.org. Accessed October 8, 2018.