Ever heard this poem? I've only heard the refrain, "Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last." So I Iooked it up and saw that it was much longer. It is very good and I think captures the essence of "not wasting our life." From the perspective of this poem, how we see our life and how God sees it, could be very different. If we are in God and after God, this is the main thing. It is not in what (or how much) we do that we have a full life, it's in how full we are with God that we can do anything of eternal value. He will then do the works He desires through that fullness of Himself in us. And, when we follow the Lord, Whose life is it anyway? Does not our life belong to Him?
In a recent time of worship and fellowship, I felt the Lord say to me, "I've got your life planned out," letting me know He is aware of my questions and concerns about the road ahead. Letting me know (once again) I don't have to figure it out or "do stuff" as "filler." Waiting is hard, but the Lord will give you an answer if you ask Him what's going on and don't act out of presumption, i.e., get ahead of God. If God hasn't yet spoken further or led you in some area of your life that you believe He put on your heart earlier, it is probably just not time. Or similarly, some person (maybe us) or set of circumstances are just not right yet. Think about the Jesus Rolex thread; God's timing is always kairos, not chronos. The gospels show Jesus lived His earthly life in this manner. It's what we need to learn to do as well. It's hard, but the more we can do this, the less we'll be concerned about "wasting our life," because we'll begin to focus less on "the clock" and more on "God appointments." Another thing I felt the Lord say to my heart was to the effect of, "I really desire or want your fellowship more than any works." I find this idea is also in this poem.
“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
— extra stanza —
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”
C.T Studd
