When You Just "Don't Have It" Anymore....

There comes a time in every man’s life when he realizes he “just doesn’t have it anymore.” By

“it,” I mean that drive, effectiveness, zip, passion, sharpness, or ability he used to have. It may manifest in different ways, but the common ground is the realization that no matter what he does, he just won’t be able to reproduce the same results he used to produce.

Athletes go through this first since the physical capabilities are often the first to go. I remember cheering wildly for Brett Farve even though I'm not a Green Bay fan. I did it because here was an older guy still fighting to achieve greatness. All middle aged men were suddenly fans of his. He still ranks first for most consecutive NFL game starts. Still...at the end of the proverbial day...he ran out of steam and had to retire.

I remember seeing it with music. Taking more time to learn a drum part and then still messing it up. Or, singing harmony but not being able to hear it like I used to. Then there’s the memory thing—names or facts I used to spit out like a machine gun, suddenly won’t come to mind anymore. I guess it’s a good thing we know that this life is just preparation for eternity. Thus, the things we lose are temporary also….

And isn't that the point? Aren't we SUPPOSED to see heaven as the ultimate goal? Isn't it better for us to acknowledge that this life is a temporary facsimile of what God has in store for us? As Paul wrote, while we love this life, we long to depart and be with Christ which "is better (Philippians 1:23)!"

So, while we may not "still have it" in this life--we can look forward with great anticipation to the many blessings in the future. Truth be told, we'll have even more. I choose to focus on THAT!

To that end,

Pastor Joel

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