LIFE'S TRANSIENT NATURE
The Bible aptly describes life on earth as a fast runner, a breath, a mist, a shadow, and a wisp of smoke in which the Dramatis personae are recognised as pilgrims, aliens, visitors, travellers, strangers, and foreigners. The entirety of life on earth therefore is brief, transient, and ephemeral. This is further accentuated in Ecclesiastes 9:12 where the Bible says "For Man also does not know his time. Like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them."
My Buoda, as I fondly called him, had exited gloriously and resplendently. The story was told of how he had shown visible signs of recuperation and had mauled down his last meal to the amazement and euphoria of his wife and grandchildren. Although his transition to glory had come "rather prematurely", we are comforted by the fact that his eyes never saw corruption. His eyes were never dim nor his natural vigour diminished. He was neither incapacitated nor rendered vegetable.
He brought me to Lagos from Osogbo in the 70's and gave me shelter and comfort at a time many struggling and up- and-coming Uncles and Aunts characteristically loathed harbouring family dependants. This singular act of benevolence has positively impacted my life irreversibly and laid the foundation for the giant strides God has enabled me and my family to make today.
After all is said and done, everyone of us shall leave only four things behind after we have left this world. These are memories, souvenirs, trophies, and legacies. While the first three are relatively temporary, transient, and fleeting, legacies are long lasting and enduring, typically out-living and out-lasting the change agent. Buoda had left legacies of diligence, perseverance, doggedness, self-confidence, simplicity, humility, and devotion to family members. He had a beautiful and unassuming spirit. He was a man of peace and a symbol of whatever is good. He shall be greatly missed.
To the family left behind, please take solace from 2Cor.4:17-18 "For our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
I pray, as promised by Rev 21:4, that God will wipe away every tear from your eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away IJN.
Johnson O. Olu-Young