Isaiah 55:6-7
“See the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.“
Charles Thoms “C.T.” Studd was a missionary to China, India, and Africa in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
His devotion to serve God in the far flung areas of the world can be summed up by one of his quotes: “Forward ever, Backward never! Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I wnt to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell.”
One of his quotes has frequently been mistaken to be from Scripture, but it is actually from one of his poems.
Only One Life “Twill Soon Be Past
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’d done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
The, 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’d 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 say, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose dep, 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’d done for Christ will last.
Oh, let my love with fervor burn, and rom 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’d 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’d done for Christ will last.
We have a new year stretching out before us. My prayer is that this year I may make this phrase a reality in my life.
Final Thoughts
Many, many years ago when I was stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. John Hall became my spiritual mentor. I am still frequently reminded of this little anecdote he shared with my during that time: While on his rounds one day, as was his usual practice he asked a certain elderly patient how she was doing.
On that particular day the woman looked at him and insightfully answered, “Life is so daily!”
What a great reply. We often forget the truth of that simple observation. We spend so much time grieving over the past or worrying about the future that we neglect what we should be doing today.
C.T. Studd penned a poem that contains a line that many people have become so familiar with thtat they think it comes from the Bible. It is a truth that should direct our path as we walk through this journey of life: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what’d done for Christ will last.”
I constantly ask myself this question: “What am I doing for Jesus Christ this day that will last for eternity?” After all that He has done for me, I know that I will never be able to do enough.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing,
– – – Pastor Cecil
