Riverside/Benoni Church Bulletin - 02-17-08

 

Kerrville and environs are a culture vulture's paradise. Where else would you find the Point Theater, the open-air amphitheater on the banks of the Guadalupe River? What other little town would have such a well-equipped theater as the Cailloux Theater? And if that isn't enough, there is the envisioned renovation and possible rebirth of the Arcadia Theater in the heart of the city. Along with this there is the Cowboy Museum and the Academy of the Arts. As enthralling as all that is, one day they will all face "the final curtain." Nothing in life goes on forever.

 

On December 30, 1968, Frank Sinatra recorded a hit song written especially for him called, "I Did It My Way." Though I do not know what precipitated the lyrics, the sentence, "And now, the end is near and so I face the final curtain" has both a ring of finality and reality with just a touch of nostalgia. One day the final page is turned. One day the last chapter has been read. One day it's all over whether the "fat lady sings or not." Even we ourselves are transitory and terminal, 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10. Though we might endeavor to push the envelope to the outer limits, there is a final curtain for every act in the play of life. Life is in reality a one act play. We live through it. Take a bow. Then comes the inevitable final curtain. Will there be any applause or just stunned silence when we "put out to sea?" We're passing through, beloved--we're not coming back, Ephesians 2:19. As another song in another context states, "It's now or never." 

 

How does the prospect of facing the final curtain affect you?  Are there things you have left undone for a future tomorrow that might never come? Do it now, my brethren! Sinatra continues, "Regrets, I've had a few but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way." Could you imagine what an impact that life would have made, if Frank had done it God's way, instead of his way? Don't leave love unexpressed whether it be for God, your family or even your neighbor. Time moves forward relentlessly, Ephesians 5:15-17. It waits for no man. Procrastination robs us of our future golden memories. We have to risk something when we love--sometimes we lose, but mostly we gain. The song continues, "I've loved, I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill, my share of losing. And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing to think I did all that and may I say, not in a shy way, 'Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way.'" Ah, Frank, couldn't you see? It is either God's way or the highway!

 

When Sinatra died, it is reported that they placed meaningful things in his casket that reflected his loves in life--a pack of Camel cigarettes, his favorite lighter, and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Does that blow you away? Well, what trinkets or objects would be appropriate to place in your hands that would accurately reflect your sojourn on earth when you have faced the final curtain?  Yes, it is appointed to a man once to die and then the judgment, Hebrews 9:27. Will your performance win a heavenly "Oscar?" Will there be many curtain calls? That final curtain might occur at anytime. It could even ring down "prematurely" in the middle of an act we're performing! If we are in Christ. . . if we have obeyed the gospel, we can draw comfort from Christ's words, "Do not let your heart be troubled, neither be afraid!" John 14:27. We cannot live without the Lord and we dare not die without Him. 

 

Love you all,

Al--"The Horne of Africa."

[Contact Us]