We have only one life to live — only one! Think of this for a moment.
Here we are in this world of time, making the journey of life. Each day we are farther from the cradle — and nearer to the grave! Solemn thought! See the mighty concourse of human lives; hear their heavy tread in their onward march. Some are just beginning life’s journey; some are midway up the hill, some have reached the top, and some are midway down the western slope. But where are we all going? Listen, and you will hear but one answer, “Eternity!” Beyond the fading, dying gleams of the sunset of life — lies a boundless, endless ocean called Eternity! There, you and I are daily traveling.
Time is like a great wheel going its round. On and on it goes. Some are stepping on — and some are stepping off. But where are these latter stepping? Into eternity! See that old man with bent form, snow-white locks, and tottering steps. His has been a long round, but he has reached his end at last. See the middle-aged man. His round has not been so long, but he must also step off. See the youth. He has been on only a little while — but he is brought to the stepping-off place. He thought his round would be much longer. He supposed that he was just getting started — when that icy hand was laid upon him and the usher said, “Come, you have made your round, and you must go!” The infant that gave its first faint cry this morning — may utter its last feeble wail tonight. And thus they go. But where? Oh, where? Eternity!
If you were to start today and ask each person you met the question, “Where are you going?” and, if possible, you were to travel the world over and ask each one of earth’s inhabitants — there could be but one answer, “Eternity!”
“Oh, eternity, Long eternity!
Hear the solemn footsteps of eternity!”
Only one life to live! Only one life — and then we must face vast, endless eternity! We shall pass along the pathway of life but once. Every step we take — is a step that can never be taken again.
This world is not a play-ground — or a place to trifle with time. Life is not given us to squander nor fritter away. To trifle away time, is indeed, to be the greatest of spendthrifts. If you squander a dollar — you may regain it; but a moment wasted — can never be regained. God gives us all the time we need to accomplish all that He purposes us to accomplish — but He does not give us one moment to trifle away.
We have only one life to live — only one! –James Orr
