Years ago, a young boy wandered from case to case in a candy store, trying to decide what to buy. His mother, tired of waiting, called, "Hurry up and spend your money! We must be going." To this he replied, "But Mom, I only have one penny, so I've got to spend it carefully."

So too, we have only one life to live, so we must "spend it carefully!" If we had ten lives, we might be able to afford to spend one of them merely on pleasure or in making money.

In underscoring the brevity of life, the Bible uses many illustrations, among them that of a flower (Psalm 103:15-16). A flower is a thing of loveliness. As a receptacle of nectar, it usually gives forth a pleasing aroma and performs a necessary function in the production of new seed. But what strikes me most about a flower is that its beauty is so brief!

Because our days on earth are few, we should make the most of our "flowering time." The nectar of the love of God in our heart should attract people to the Savior. Our life should be colorful with spiritual service, remembering that we are allowed to bloom for the express purpose of bringing forth new seed (leading others to Christ).

Your life is brief—make it lovely!  — Henry G. Bosch