Have You Been Staying Too Long At The Fair?

You will not know this truth from TV news, Time magazine, or Ophrah. You won't discover it presented in commercials or movies.

To know what I mean, take a look at this 1957 little gem below from Billy Barnes. His title is interesting, "I Stayed Too Long At The Fair."

"I wanted the music to play on forever - have I stayed too long at the fair?
I wanted the clown to be constantly clever - have I stayed too long at the fair?
I bought me blue ribbons to tie up my hair, but I couldn't find anybody to care.
The merry-go-round is beginning to slow now - have I stayed too long at the fair?
I wanted to live in a carnival city, with laughter and love everywhere.
I wanted my friends to be thrilling and witty, I wanted somebody to care.
I found my blue ribbons all shiny and new, but now I've discovered them no longer blue.
The merry-go-round is beginning to taunt me - have I stayed too long at the fair?
There is nothing to win and no one to want me - have I stayed too long at the fair?"

Talk about life's disappointment, misery, and futility! Lots of people die and get buried after "staying too long at the fair." The wise man Solomon calls it "vanity of vanities." Nothing is more empty, nothing is more tragic.

I honestly cannot imagine how anyone can have purpose or heal amid the innate vanity, emptiness, and brokenness of this life apart from God. Everyone of us is going to die at some point. If an earthquake strikes you today, no matter your age, are you ready to die - knowing the life you live has meaning and you'll return to God? Or, have you been staying too long at the fleeting pleasures of the fair?

"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, 'I have no delight in them' ..." (Ecclesiastes 12:1)