No, this isn’t a primer on how to grow a beautiful lawn. It’s a sobering word picture from the Bible about the brevity of our lives.

“For God knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103:14

“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14b

“People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.” 1 Peter 1:24

The quick and dirty of these three verses is that we are dirt and our lives are over quickly. So, Carpe Diem, as they say – “seize the day!” Live each moment wisely, because any of us can cross into eternity within the next few seconds.

Beyond this obvious life lesson, however, I think David, James and Peter are trying not to depress us or diminish our value as human beings, but instead encourage us. I think they are reminding you and me that the real us is of infinite value – certainly more than mere flesh, bone and blood. The real us is not our temporary bodies, but the part of us that lasts forever. Even when our earthly bodies die, the real you and me keeps on living… forever. For those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus, we will live eternally with God. Those who reject Jesus will keep living without God, and it’s not a pretty picture.

So for the Christian, Paul helps us puts it all together in 1 Corinthians 15:

“It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies….What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

“Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’”

So rejoice. It’s easier to be dust, mist and grass knowing that we will be transformed. Indeed, the best is yet to come.