When the New Testament repeats an Old Testament message, we do well to pay close attention. Here we have one of Scripture’s grand themes: the littleness of time compared with the vastness of eternity. What a valuable perspective.

Matters of disease and health continue to be of intense general interest. Health workers, impelled by a well-informed public, can strive hard to achieve distinction. Whether contributing to better health care, missionary service or academic and scientific advance, seeking to achieve can be entirely proper for Christians who are ‘working for the Lord, not for men’. (Colossians 3: 23) Some major advances have resulted from Christian faith working through honest minds, accepting our place in God’s creation. Both medieval and twentieth-century hospices had an intrinsically Christian ethos.

Yet it is easy to be overtaken by naked ambition and aim to attain personal goals, be these for fame, influence, power, money or simply intellectual and scientific satisfaction. Fashions change, and today’s professional wisdom is often tomorrow’s foolishness. In any case, career fulfilment cannot satisfy eternally and we are frail and finite. A glowing obituary is still an obituary. What price then our successes?

In contrast, God does not change. His word is timeless. His purposes are eternal. Our hope lies in him.

Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show,
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.
John Newton

Prayer: May the favour of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90: 17