Life Is Short

James 4:14

By now everyone is familiar with the name Ashley Madison, her list, and her slogan…. “Life is short – Have an affair.”  How stupid.

Having been a pastor and counseled with folks who were reeling from the effects of an affair I can tell you, the results of unfaithfulness are heart breaking, devastating, gut wrenching, causing those who are betrayed to feel worthless.  And eventually the betrayer to feel just as ruined.  While I’d like to rant about Ashley Madison for a page or two I will resist the temptation and tell you a brighter side of the story.

Why not, “Life is short – Grow old with the one you married.”  Grow old and experience forty, fifty, and maybe even sixty years together as husband and wife.  Years of joy and heartache…good times and bad times…laughter and tears…enjoying kids and grandkids…vacations and holidays…family gatherings…holding hands and holding one another through thick and thin.  In sickness and health.  On dark days and sunny days.  Staying when you feel like leaving.   

And one day when you’ve grown old together and inevitably death calls one of you away – you’ll look back at the brevity of life and be thankful you grew old with the one you married.  You’ll be glad you were faithful.

Besides…you don’t even know how much time you have left.  Your life is a vapor.  The pastor who shook your hand this past Sunday could preach your funeral in two days.  The flowers delivered to the florist today could rest on your grave before the weekend.  Life is short – Don’t do something stupid.  You may not have to live with it, but your family will. 

Life is short.  Love God.  Love the one you married.   M