The Uncertainty Of Life
1958 was a
challenging year in Cuba. Revolutionary
forces were active throughout the island nation while the ruling dictator, Fulgencio Batista, struggled to maintain
control. In spite of the underlying
political tensions Havana continued to be the entertainment capital of the
Caribbean. Hotels, casinos and opulent
shows were readily available just a few miles off of the southern coast of
Florida. New Year’s Eve 1958 probably
began like many others – a night of celebration, entertainment and debauchery –
but before the sun rose on the “Pearl of the Caribbean” the history of the
Western Hemisphere was changed forever.
In the early morning hours of January 1, 1959 Batista fled Cuba and
opened the door for Fidel Castro to come to power.
I
am fascinated by the history of Cuba, especially the first three quarters of
the 20th Century; yet, this event is more than a historical fact, it
also offers a spiritual warning: Life Is
Fluid. It is easy (and natural) to grow
comfortable with the way things are, but status quo is more of a myth than a
reality. We might like to believe that
life demands uninterrupted continuity, but the truth is that change reigns
supreme. If you don’t believe me (or the
Cubans) just ask thousands of people who woke up expecting September 11, 2001
to be just another day – or more poignantly, ask the families of those killed by
the terrorist attacks. How many of the
people who attend a concert in Las Vegas on October 1 or those who went to
worship at the First Baptist Church in Southerland Springs on November 5
expected those days to end the way they did?
The goal of this article is not to depress us, rather it is to remind
us. It is natural to become complacent,
but we cannot afford to operate in a false sense of security. History is not the only thing that teaches us
this lesson, Scripture reminds us: “Come
now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and
spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not
know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a
little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:13-14).
When we reflect on the uncertainty of life, we should be asking
ourselves “Is there something that we need to do before we lose the chance to
do it?”. Are we secure in our
relationship with God – are we certain of our eternal future? Do we have goals or dreams that haven’t been achieved? Has God given us talents that haven’t been
utilized? Are there relationships that
need to be mended before it is too late?
Life is going to change! Some
changes can be anticipated, but others will be sudden and unexpected. We may not be ready for them when they happen,
but we must prepare for the impact they can have on us?