Ecclesiastes 1:11
There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. I remember buying one of my first bikes from a neighbor. I was so excited. All I wanted to do was ride that bike. And I did, for a few days. But as time went on, I wasn’t so excited about the bike. I rode it less and less. One day I got a new bike. I threw the old one away, and time kept moving forward. 

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. Mickey Ripley was my hero growing up. He played quarterback for the Perry Maroons and the Oklahoma Sooners. You can imagine how excited I was when he returned to coach football and baseball when I was in high school. I would have run through a wall for him. Because of him, I was second-team All-State in baseball and received a college scholarship. I never thanked him and soon forgot about him. A couple of years ago, our son Garrison sent an article from a Sooner website that told of Ripley’s passing. I wish I had thanked him, but time kept moving forward.

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. I remember the day of my dad’s funeral. Driving to the cemetery, I saw people going about their daily business. I remember seeing a man walking to the post office to mail a letter. How could he have the gall to do something as trivial as mailing a letter when my family was on our way to bury my dad! But in time, days went by when I didn’t even think of my dad. At first, I felt guilty. Then I didn’t. I still miss him. But time keeps moving forward.

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. Lori and I were married on a hot Oklahoma August day. We moved the wedding to the evening so the icing on the cake wouldn’t melt! That was forty-two years ago. Seriously, how has it been forty-two years? Time keeps moving forward.

The cycle of life keeps us moving forward. Recently I saw a picture of our children when they ranged in age from two to preteen. I lived through that time. I experienced it in real life. But I can hardly remember what it was like. Life is elusive. Time keeps moving forward.

Time just keeps moving forward. Solomon reminds us of this solemn truth so we will be intentional about each day, honoring and loving Jesus and following hard after him. Time moves forward right into eternity. Are you sure you will spend eternity with Jesus? If not, I invite you to pray this prayer. 

Father, time is going fast, and I have no guarantee of another day. I know that one day my time will be over. Right now, I want to be prepared for my inevitable ending. I know I am a sinner and cannot save myself or work my way to you. I turn from my past and turn to Jesus. I trust in his death on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I acknowledge Jesus as my Savior and desire to follow him from today until I see him face to face. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.