Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone.
Psalms 103:15-16
The Brevity of Life
The Arizona Cardinals selected Pat Tillman in the 7th round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Many people doubted his ability to deliver as a starter on the Cardinals opening-day roster. However, he answered that skepticism by becoming the team’s starting safety and broke the franchise record for tackles in 2000 with 224.The day after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pat told a reporter, “At times like this you stop and think about just how good we have it, what kind of system we live in, and the freedoms we are allowed. A lot of my family has gone and fought in wars and I really haven’t done a damn thing.”In the spring of 2002, Pat married his high school love, Marie, and upon his return from their honeymoon, announced to the Cardinals he had decided to place his NFL career on hold to enlist in the U.S. Army with his brother, Kevin. The decision shocked many and garnered national media attention despite his refusal to speak publicly about the choice.Pat joined the U.S. Army that July, committing to a three-year term. He was assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Lewis, Washington. He served tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. On the evening of April 22, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for fellow soldiers as they escaped from the canyon led to his untimely and tragic death by friendly fire. At 28 years old, Pat Tillman was gone.David reminds us in the verse above that “Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone.”Regardless of whether you’re 16 or 60, life is short. It’s fleeting. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. In early morning, a person wakes up and crawls out of bed to begin their day, unaware that by that night fall they will be laid to rest in a casket at their local funeral home.Pat Tillman left a legacy that will far outlive him. So how about you? What will this week, this month, this year hold for you? Are you living your life “below the sun” concerned only about you, yourself and your accomplishments? Or are you living your life “above the sun” seeking to honor God and bring Him great glory with the life you’ve been given? The choice is yours. Life on earth will soon be past—only what counts for Christ will last.Life is short. Even in our best shape we are a brittle piece of mortality. Therefore I encourage you to live life “above the sun.” Leave a legacy that will far outlive you.Love God! Love People! Live Sent!Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 42 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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