- Psalm 90:12
In about one month, on my birthday, I will have been alive exactly 13,185 days (the leap years have been accounted for in that figure). This is a sobering number.
It's tempting to look back and say "what have I done with my time?" or "were the things I spent time on worth it?" These are natural questions to ask yourselves; particularly if you have something in your life you would like to change.
If you're anything like me you have that sort of "mental list" that is always sort of floating around in your mind (or the top drawer of your desk, or in your wallet) of things that you would like to get done and things that you "need" to get done.
What's pretty interesting is that even though I'm soon to be thirty-six and have started to get gray hairs and stiff knees, I can still find ways to put off doing the things that need to be done. I can still find ways to avoid the "wisdom" that David talks about in the Psalms.
Some distractions and diversions come in the form of good gifts from God like family and talents. Having kids, particularly having young kids is pretty all-consuming at first. Being involved in ministry is a blessing. But even these good things can be leaned on for reasons not to get to the things that need to be done.
On the other side of the coin, there are some folks who are so focused on life "to do lists" that they miss their children growing up, or miss out on quality friendships that could have been made if they had just taken their eyes off their itinerary for just a few minutes.
There are so many ways to be distracted from what is really important, from living wisely. It's pretty easy to forget to "number our days". John Lennon, of Beatles fame, said in a song that "life is what happens when you are making other plans".
Because it's easy to assume that the "future me" will get his or her act together. "Surely this thing won't go on like this indefinitely. I'm sure to spend more time with my kids or take care of that chronic financial matter or bad habit someday. There is no way that this will go on forever." But we all know that time passes more quickly than we ever realize, and soon that thing we should have addressed is now a huge, looming issue. Or suddenly that child is leaving the house and you never got to be that godly, intentional parent that you had meant to be.
When I look out my office window (in my wonderful "man cave" at home) at changing leaves I'm always shocked. "It was just the forth of July and 100 degrees outside! Why is there frost on my car windshield and freezing cold mornings! Where did the summer go!
The summer has gone, and life is going along with it. May you and I be people who "number our days" like the Lord tells us to, and thereby live the wise lives He is calling us to live.
So make that phone call, write that letter. Take that child out for a special date and tell them how much God loves them and that He has a plan for their lives. Write your wife a love note or call that old friend and catch up. Write that book or start that ministry opportunity that God has laid on your heart. Go do it!
The clock is ticking.
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