Casket Vision

I have often driven the I-80/90 corridor through Ohio in a state of semi-consciousness. Last year my son and I were on our way back from New Hampshire when we passed a truck which had the following written on the back doors: Matthews International Casket Division.  However, the way the wording was laid out (no pun intended) had the word “division” written across the back so that where the doors came together the letters “di.” were covered up. Thus at first glance, what I saw was Matthews International Casket Vision. Needless to say it got my attention and I began to think of some spiritual application, which is what preachers tend to do especially on long trips in a semi-conscious state. I had been teaching a series on the Psalms the week before so my mind soon arrived at Psalm 90:12- “Teach us to  number our days aright that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Moses was asking that God would give him a “casket vision” so that he might not waste the brief time that he had upon this earth to do the work of pleasing God. We can number our possessions, our cars, our bank accounts, our influence- but Moses humbles himself and asks for God to constantly remind him of his mortality and the brevity of his life. We can apply our hearts to gaining knowledge, riches, power, significance- but Moses asks God to apply his heart to wisdom, which means a skill for living rightly and usefully according to the fear of the Lord. Spurgeon comments, “Men are led by reflections upon the brevity of time to give their earnest attention to eternal things; they become humble as they look into the grave which is soon to be their bed… and they yield themselves up to the dictates of unerring wisdom.” And so my misreading the words on the truck on I-80 caused me to paraphrase Moses’ words and pray, “Lord, give me a casket vision so that I might spend my brief day upon the earth glorifying You.”