The halted hands of a pocket watch in a libraryâs archives at the University of North Carolina tell a harrowing tale. They mark the exact moment (8:19 and 56 seconds) the watchâs owner Elisha Mitchell slipped and fell to his death at a waterfall in the Appalachian Mountains on the morning of June 27, 1857.
Mitchell, a professor at the university, was gathering data to defend his (correct) claim that the peak he was onâwhich now bears his name, Mount Mitchellâwas the highest one east of the Mississippi. His grave is located at the mountainâs summit, not far from where he fell.
As I ascended that mountain peak recently, I reflected on Mitchellâs story and my own mortality and how each of us has only so much time. And I pondered Jesusâ words about His return as He spoke to His disciples on the Mount of Olives: âSo you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect himâ (Matthew 24:44).
Jesus clearly indicates that none of us knows either the moment Heâll return and establish His kingdom forever or when He may summon us to leave this world and come to Him. But He tells us to be prepared and âkeep watchâ (v. 42).
Tick . . . tick . . . The âclockworkâ of our lives is still in motionâbut for how long? May we live our moments in love with our merciful Savior, waiting and working for Him.
