Longevity
Reading through Genesis 10-11 today, something about the fact that Terah, the father of Abram, lived 205 years stood out to me. Terah arrives on the scene at the end of almost 2 chapters of genealogies, which included men who lived longer than he did. But something is different about Terah.
I will not make a mountain out of a mole hill, but reading about Terah made me think about the longevity of my own life and even how I live. I will be the big 3-0 this year, and I do not have any delusions about making it to the big 2-0-5 as Terah did. But it makes me think. Even in my almost 30 years, I do not remember what life was like when I was 3. If I have forgotten more than a tenth of my life at almost 30, what was it like for Terah to live 205 years? How much of his life did he forget? Was there a certain moment in his life he wished he could remember? A special memory that was so dear and important but he could not recall? How well did he remember his parents and siblings? Did he remember when he met his wife? It made me think that having shorter lives now could be considered a grace from God. If I die at 70, by God's grace, I will still remember 65ish years of my life. Sure, some parts I wish I could forget (high school anyone?), but I will be able to remember the amazing parts: the people who are dear to me, life-shaping events, experiencing God writing my story, etc. How did Terah view his story?
The verse says, "The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Horan." In the rest of the genealogy, everyone else lives years and then die. It does not mention living days. Years of life seem to indicate quantity of life, while days of life seem to focus on quality. Therefore, how do I live? Do I live each day making the most of it? Do I live as though each day may be my last? Do I live in a way that brings glory to God? Do I live with contentment? Do I focus on the time I do have, the present, or more on what is not guaranteed, the future, or what can never be changed, the past? How do I live? I do not know. I pray that when the end of my life on this earth comes I can say that I lived days of years with fondness and contentment.
I will not make a mountain out of a mole hill, but reading about Terah made me think about the longevity of my own life and even how I live. I will be the big 3-0 this year, and I do not have any delusions about making it to the big 2-0-5 as Terah did. But it makes me think. Even in my almost 30 years, I do not remember what life was like when I was 3. If I have forgotten more than a tenth of my life at almost 30, what was it like for Terah to live 205 years? How much of his life did he forget? Was there a certain moment in his life he wished he could remember? A special memory that was so dear and important but he could not recall? How well did he remember his parents and siblings? Did he remember when he met his wife? It made me think that having shorter lives now could be considered a grace from God. If I die at 70, by God's grace, I will still remember 65ish years of my life. Sure, some parts I wish I could forget (high school anyone?), but I will be able to remember the amazing parts: the people who are dear to me, life-shaping events, experiencing God writing my story, etc. How did Terah view his story?
The verse says, "The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Horan." In the rest of the genealogy, everyone else lives years and then die. It does not mention living days. Years of life seem to indicate quantity of life, while days of life seem to focus on quality. Therefore, how do I live? Do I live each day making the most of it? Do I live as though each day may be my last? Do I live in a way that brings glory to God? Do I live with contentment? Do I focus on the time I do have, the present, or more on what is not guaranteed, the future, or what can never be changed, the past? How do I live? I do not know. I pray that when the end of my life on this earth comes I can say that I lived days of years with fondness and contentment.
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