Morning Devotional

January 5, 2004

"Firsts and Lasts" 

by Don Emmitte

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And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:5-7 NLT). 

The last day of deer season has come and gone. I spent it with friends at our lease in central Texas. It was a wonderful day! The morning of my last hunt of the season dawned very foggy with visibility of no more than fifty yards. I walked to the stand with my good friend, Jamie McClain. We had already decided to go out that morning and sit together. We settled into the stand about thirty minutes before it was light enough to see well. In the quiet dark I had some time for reflection about this last day. 

I remembered some of the “firsts” of my life. With “lasts” there are always “firsts.” It was easy to remember my first hunt on this lease. It was with Jamie in that very same stand. That was not my first hunt, however. That took place over forty years ago with my Dad. It wasn’t a deer hunt. We loaded up to go rabbit hunting on a very cold morning. Dad believed that you couldn’t eat a wild rabbit until after the first frost, and he also believed that you don’t harvest any game animal that you don’t intend to eat. Little did I know how much of an impression that first hunt would make! It was a wonderful day. I didn’t take a shot, but I will never forget the sounds of the dogs baying on scent, or the sights of the frost on the brambles, or the smell of the leaves as they had begun to fall finishing their journey of life. What a day! 

All firsts make an impression on our lives. Some of them are good and some bad. I’ve had many good firsts through the years. However, as I reflected on the firsts, I also was reminded that there must be lasts too. Often there is sadness about last things. The last hunt of the season is always like that for me. Last things bring thoughts that this may have been the very last season. This year I know I have spent it well. I didn’t harvest the biggest deer. I set any records at all. But I spent it very well, time spent with friends and family enjoying God’s creation.  

Life is like that as well. I recall vividly that first moment when faith released the grace of God to work in my life. The freedom from guilt and shame that came with forgiveness was an unforgettable experience. It is a miracle that makes every other experience pale in comparison. While this miracle will never end, this first will also have a last. The battle between good and evil will be done. I will be ushered into eternity where there is no more sin and death, no more pain and suffering. There God will be my Father and I will be His child in a way never before experienced. This is the conclusion of John in our reading this morning. Whenever that time comes I am confident that all has been done to insure that this last will be one of joy! This may seem awfully maudlin, however, it is a thought we all have from time to time. While I am not “ready” for that day, I am prepared! How about you? Are you prepared for that “last”? Place your faith in Christ. Celebrate that first!