After years of federal investigation, 20 members of the Lucchese crime family landed in court in 1987 in what was the longest criminal trial in U.S. history. The U.S. government was set to take down one of the mob’s biggest crime families, until one defendant decided to defend himself. Giacomo “Jackie Dee” DiNorscio, a member of the notorious family represented himself in the 21 month trial.
Director Sidney Lumet turned the court case into a 2006 movie entitled “Find Me Guilty” starring Vin Diesel as “Jackie Dee.” While it’s a fascinating movie, and quite refreshing to see Diesel play a role quite opposite from what we’re used to seeing him play, I was taken by a recurring line by “Jackie Dee” — “Time is fleeting.” — At one point a guard asks him what it means and the “gagster” as he calls himself says it means time is going away quickly.
I remember as a kid my dad would say “the older you get, the faster time goes by.” Of course at the time I had no idea what he meant, nor did I really believe him when a common phrase out of my mouth was “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do!” However, as I get older, I’m discovering the words of my father are true, and perhaps can be summed up in the phrase “time is fleeting.” Once a moment in time passes, we can never get it back again.
The Bible says God can redeem the time. But what does that really mean? Does it mean we go back in time like Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future”? I think not. More and more as I ponder the words “time is fleeting” wrapped up in the concept of God “redeeming the time” I think it means when we become aware of how precious time is, we begin to appreciate life and those around us in a more caring and loving way.
We recently attended two funeral services. One was for my wife’s Grandmother who was 87 years old, the other, an old friend of mine who was 69. Grandma Perry served God well through many years of service as a Pastor’s wife. She is remembered for her always cheerful character and never-complaining attitude. While it seems Grandma died suddenly, we did know for a number of months that she wasn’t well. The old friend, Vimy Andrews, died suddenly. He had a an aneurysm that decided to go. However, while it seemed like Vimy passed quickly, reality is we knew about the aneurysm for a number of years.
“Time is fleeting” — I wonder if Grandma and Vimy ever thought about those words. Maybe, maybe not. I do know one thing for sure, they were both ready for what was ahead of them in life, and they both lived there lives to the fullest, enjoying every minute of every day and everyone around them. If we can learn anything from the lives of Grandma and Vimy, lets remember the joy with which they lived life, no matter what hand was dealt them. In the end, they died with joy, enjoying those around them.
