The “last time” are words that signal the end of something.

Sometimes the last time is pleasant because we know we don’t have to do that again. 

… Like when you are moving furniture, it’s been hot and you’re all sweaty and tired. You’ve been bringing boxes and furniture into the house for some time. When you walk into that moving van for the last time, it’s a good feeling that it’s the last time. 

But there are times when the last time is not such a happy thing.

… When your vacation is coming to an end and you look out of the window of your Airbnb at the ocean and beach before you. You wish you had an extra week or even just a few more days, but this is the last time you are looking at that emerald blue water and that fine white sand. That is not as happy a last time.

But then the last time can be both sad and happy all at the same time. 

… A funeral of someone who lived a good life and had strong faith in Christ Jesus is one of those times. There is much sadness that can’t be denied, but there is also a joy of knowing that that old saint is with the Lord in heaven. When one walks away from the grave site for the last time there is mixed emotions of sadness and joy. 

Last week my wife, Lily, and I attended our denomination’s General Assembly. We gather every two years to conduct business, elect leaders and committee members. This year Assembly was in Alberta in the city I started pastoring in.

This was probably my last time attending this conference. As I will be moving into retirement sometime soon, I most likely won’t be back. 

For Lily and I, it was a week of last times – possibly the last time we will get out to Edmonton, or last time we will see some of the colleagues we’ve pastored with over the years, including some who we went to school with. 

It may be the last time we ever visit our first church, Beulah Alliance, and see the faces of the people who enriched our lives, brought us joy and made us smile so many years ago. 

But unlike leaving a vacation spot earlier than you want to, we have the joy of memories that fill our hearts and will never leave us. 

To reacquaint ourselves with those we shared life with a long time ago was pure joy. To see how some have blossomed and some have aged well like fine wine was a delight. It will fuel our memories for years to come; pictures, videos and social media posts will just fan the flame of our memories to new heights. 

When you really think about it, the last time for something is never really the last time. It might be in a physical sense but we have experiences that we shared and those memories don’t ever leave us. 

It was so good to make that trip out west last week. 

Here’s the thing: With your own life, you don’t know when the last time will be for you. To ensure that you have joy, hope and no regrets when that last time comes, be sure to give Jesus control of your life. Not only will you have peace knowing that heaven lies ahead, but your loved ones will have comfort knowing where you will be.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What recent “last time” has brought you joy? Leave your comments and questions below.

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