Living Your Dash Minutes

Recently, I was doing some upkeep at our family’s cemetery plot in Jackson. It’s not a large plot, my Grandma Witt is there along with my Son Cody, and a future place for my Mom & Dad (hopefully way in the future). Someday I’ll be placed there also beside my Son, again, not too soon I hope. I also saw that there were several new “arrivals” that had recently been interred at the cemetery. Being the nosey person that I am, I walked over to see them and noticed that one was around my age and the other person was 92 years old.

For most of us, when our life has reached an end, we will be laid to rest six feet under. Above us will be a sign, marking out the spot where our body lies. The tombstone will have very basic information about us — our name, our date of birth, our date of death. There may also be an inspirational quote, a favorite Bible verse or a something that was meaningful to us. What is most important on that tombstone, though, is what is most easily overlooked — the dash. In between the day of our birth and the day of our death there is a simple dash.

The dash is small, measuring little more than an inch in granite. It’s length is a fitting emblem for the duration of our lives. Life is vaporous, a thin, wisp of breath on a chilly December morning (James 4:14). Life is like a shadow that momentarily covers the backyard and disappears with the passing clouds (Psalm 102:11). Life is like a flower that droops its head under the weight of the summer sun and the frost of the winter cool (Psalm 103:15). Our time on Earth is very limited no matter how long we live.

To one day have to face death is an inescapable human condition, so what do we do? We do what Moses did. We ask for help and pray that we might gain the mind of God: “Teach me to number my days so I may present to you a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). The real measure of that small dash on the tombstone is all that measures the character of our lives: the decisions we face, the sacrifices we make, the relationships we pursue, the sins we confess, the joys we share, the gifts we give, the kindnesses we extend, the troubles we suffer, the talents we employ, the legacy we leave behind. Life is much more than simply a line chiseled in stone. How are you filling up the dash between the two points?

I’ve been doing some reflection on my life; where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going. I ask myself, “How can I walk a lifestyle that brings honor to God?” All these things are driving this thought: I want my dash between the dates to be a legacy that honors God.

My life is bigger than what I do today, tomorrow or even 20 years down the line. My life will be an inheritance to my children and the generation that comes after me. Everything I do in this life will be passed on to them. So what am I leaving behind? What am I doing with the dash between the dates?

Thankfully, I’m nowhere near what I once was, but I’m nowhere near where I want to be. This thought process isn’t discouraging. On the contrary, it is hopeful. I’m not thinking about this on my deathbed. I don’t have one foot in the grave with a heart full of regret. I’m on top of the dirt, not under it. Hopefully the Lord will give me time to correct the issues keeping me from being where I want to be.

God has given me several dreams for my remaining time here on Earth and I’m ready to step out in faith to follow them. I have the resolve to make it happen. I’m ready to establish a legacy that brings honor to my family, but mostly brings honor to Jesus and prepares me for my transfer from Earth into eternity.

This brings up the most important decision we will ever face during our time on Earth. There is nothing more important than where you will spend eternity.

If you have never thought about where you will go when you die...take a moment and do so. Have you ever thought about death? Where will you go after you die? Where will you spend all eternity when your life here on earth is over?

No matter what, you won't escape death. No one will. And eternity is a long time. In fact, just think, it's forever and never ends. There is no time in eternity.

There's nothing more important than where you go after you die. You don’t float in vast nothingness, you don’t come back as a horse, you won’t go to Hell to have an eternal party with your friends. You’ll either go to a paradise (Heaven), or to eternal damnation (Hell). That’s the only two choices. There are no entry requirements for Hell, but there is one for Heaven. You have to be perfect or forgiven.

Have you ever looked at yourself according to how God see's you? If not, here's what to do, evaluate yourself against the 10 Commandments to see how you measure up to God's standard of righteousness.

Have you ever lied (even once-fibs, white lies, etc.)?
Have you ever stolen (the value is irrelevant)?
Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust?

If you have said "Yes" to any of these three questions (by your own admission), you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and we've only looked at three of the Ten Commandments.

Even though the 10 Commandments were given a long time ago, they are still relevant for today...in the New Testament it says, "you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5: 5). One way or another that covers us all. No one is perfect and no one is without sin. Sorry, I know it can be a shock to some.

Have you put God first in your life? Or have you created a false god to suit yourself; a god you feel comfortable with? If God judges you by that standard will you be innocent or guilty? If you're honest and listen to your conscience you know that you will be guilty, and end up in Hell.

The reality of that should make you worry. However, there is some good news, God Himself made a way for us to be forgiven to wipe the slate of our failures and sins clean. In the book of John, it says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man and was without sin. He suffered and died on the cross and then He rose from the dead, defeating death. You broke the law and Jesus paid the fine with His blood. Today, here's what to do, admit your sins to God, repent (turn) from your sins, put your trust in Jesus to save you from eternal damnation, and you will pass from death to life. Only through Christ can God forgive you and grant you the gift of everlasting life. If you ask God to forgive you of your failures/sins/wrongdoings He has promised He will forgive you and erase them from our list.

The amount of time we spend on Earth will vary for each of us. Some will get more time than others and most will never know when our time is winding to an end. Living our lives for momentary pleasure or for ourselves can be fun for a season. I can’t tell you it’s not. There are plenty of things that are bad for you that are appealing. But doing what we want and living like we want does have an eternal cost. Living our lives in a way that honors our Creator can be just as exciting, fun, memorable and the benefits far outweigh the momentary happiness and pleasure.

Let’s do what we can to make our dash meaningful while we are here and a positive legacy after we’re gone.

Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd

The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars .... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard ...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range")

If we could just slow down enough to consider
what's true and real,
And always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spend your dash?
Linda Ellis © 1998.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
James 4:14 (English Standard Version)
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Psalm 102:11 (ESV)
My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

Psalm 103:15 (ESV)
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:5 (ESV)
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.