250 Years Isn’t So Long Ago 

We are celebrating the 250^th anniversary of what most people consider to be the birth of the United States of America. It is a good time to give thanks for our nation and our freedoms, as well as to pray for our leaders and for a much-needed turning to God. So along with our cookouts and fireworks, let’s remember to pray for our country today.

At first thought, 250 years seems like such a long time. When I was a youngster studying about the American Revolution in school, it seemed like ancient history. However, as I have gotten older, my perspective has changed somewhat. The 1960s probably seem like prehistoric times to my grandchildren, but those days don’t seem so far away to me since I lived them. So consider the fact that someone who is eighty-three years old today can look back on their first years of life as if it was a short time ago. Someone who was eighty-three years old at the time that person was born could look back at their lifespan the same way. A third person who was eighty-three when that person was born could conceivably look back at their birth and it would have taken place around the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Only three eighty-three-year-old individuals separate our day from the birth of our nation. When I think about it in those terms, it really wasn’t that long ago since our country came into existence.

This realization should serve as another reminder to us of the shortness of life. The Bible describes this reality in numerous ways. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Even for those who live to be in their seventies, eighties, or older, life comes and goes relatively quickly. Eighty-three years can seem like a long time, but that lifespan can pass by before we know it.

Therefore, in light of that truth the Bible encourages us to live wisely. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). If life is so short, then we need to make the most of the opportunities we are given. Let’s not allow life to pass us by and suddenly realize all the time we wasted.

Think about how so much has changed in our nation over the last 250 years – from fledgling colonies to a world superpower – from a vast wilderness to great metropolises – from covered wagons to jet planes. And then consider how the world has changed just within some of our lifetimes – the advances in technology – the differences in our culture – the changes in values and morals, some of which is positive but much of which has gone in the wrong direction. We live in a very different world from the one in which many of us were born.

These truths should challenge us not to passively sit back as time goes by. Eighty-three years goes by quickly. So let’s be faithful to fulfill God’s purposes while we are here on this earth. Don’t waste these precious gifts of time and life that God has given you. Receive His loving gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus. Love Him, live for Him and seek to do His will during these few years of your life. Give priority to those things that will still matter 250 years from now. Be a light in a dark world, a godly influence on your family and friends, and a proclaimer of the gospel to those who need to hear it.

Time is short, even 250 years. But eternity is forever.