Valentine's for Singles - Pt 4

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7 ESV).

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of finding ourselves alone for any holiday, especially one designed to emphasize companionship and love as Valentine’s Day does, is the feeling of hopelessness. This truth brought me to focus our attention on one of the most beloved “superheroes” in the DC Family, Superman. The character has been portrayed by several actors through the decades. One that stands out is Christopher Reeve. Some would defend his portrayal as the best of all. You may remember that in 1995 he was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a horse-riding accident. It was soon afterward that he founded the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation in 1998 to promote research on spinal cord injuries. He died of cardiac arrest in 2004 as a result of a reaction from antibiotics. He has often been quoted for his inspirational remarks to those who were disabled with spinal cord injuries. Just one of those was, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” However, based on all accounts, he died with his hope unfulfilled. As he spoke in an interview concerning his faith, he said, “[F]amily, friends and well-wishers from around the world assured me that prayers and my faith in God would comfort me. I tried to pray but I didn't feel any better, nor did I make any kind of connection with God.” He seemed to place his hope in temporal things. Real hope does not spring from things that are constantly changing. Science and medicine, as important and beneficial as they may be, cannot bring us eternal hope. We are still left at the end of our lives with “feelings” of unfulfilled dreams and unmet goals. Our lives here are merely a vapor, a breath (v. 5). Let me quickly make an application to those who are alone: even if we remain single for the rest of our lives here on earth, it is only a fraction of time compared to the eternity we will spend rejoicing in the presence of Christ. I do not relish the idea of living out my days alone in this world. Nevertheless, I am comforted, encouraged, and hopeful in remembering God’s eternal perspective: my days here are limited (v. 4), and sooner than I realize, I will be in his comforting, fulfilling presence, enjoying perfect harmony and companionship with him and all the saints for all eternity. This light momentary affliction, whether a lonely Valentine’s Day or a lifetime of singleness, is preparing an eternal weight of glory (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17). This gives me hope. My prayer is that it will bring you hope as well!