To Infinity and Beyond!!!

Remember this guy? 

It's Buzz Lightyear from the animated movie "Toy Story".  I remember clearly how in the first movie, this chap was such a misery to the rest of the toys, because he thought he was the real Buzz Lightyear, space explorer extraordinaire, invincible, unstoppable, except for a few high-tech hiccups - all his "gadgets" were really non-functional stickers and his wings couldn't make him fly like he thought they could.

It took quite some adventure and convincing from his fellow toys in the movie before Buzz finally realized that he, too was no more than a toy, that his entire creation was for the satisfaction of his child-owner Andy.

Sometimes we're Buzz Lightyears in our own way, too.  In our teens, we're idealistic, simplistic; not quite ready to take on the world, but straining hard on the leash.  In our twenties, many of us burn our candles on both ends to show to ourselves and others that like Buzz we are unstoppable, infinite.  Into our thirties, we're going in different directions - many become convinced thoroughly in their "Buzz Lightyearness" while some are getting a dose of reality from the broken gadgets, real or otherwise.  Then we get into mid-life and it hits us - there is no "infinity and beyond" in ourselves.  Like Buzz in the movie, we realize we are creature, not Creator, finite with no beyond in ourselves.  We were made for His satisfaction.

Unlike Buzz, however, there comes a day when this earth suite we wear gets worn out and we have to discard it.  Like it or not, our suit didn't come with any warranty.  It should last 80 good years, and if you work that out in days, it is only 29220 days.  Consider this - the first 10-20 years (3650 - 7300 days) we think like Buzz.  In the last 10-20, many of the Buzz's parts are broken and no longer work.  That would leave us with a mere 40 years to make any difference we want to make.  A paltry 14610 days.

That's why David th Psalmist said:

► Ps 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NKJV)

Number our days.  I'm into day 16098 as I write this.  Another 16000 days and I might be into infinity.

The other thing, if you are a believer, is this.  We have to wrap our minds around eternity.  Paul said to

► Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (NKJV)

because he was very aware of this too.  Eternity is hard to grapple with in our minds, so let's say that God only promised us 100 lifetimes for Jesus' sake.  Based on the 80 year model, that would be 2,922,000 days!  But I digress…that's another posting - for now:

["Mission control to Buzz Lightyear - 
We have a special message from Agent Solomon…"]

Ecclesiates 12

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 

2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 

3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. 

4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. 

5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. 

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 

7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. (NLT)

Roger that, Mission Control!!