Numbering Our Days

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12

19,539.

That's how many days God has blessed me with as of this writing.  But, what have I done with all that time?  If I had to give an account today of my time here, what would I say?

Few of us know exactly how long we will live upon this earth, but do we think about it much?  The Holy Bible tells us that we should.

Psalm 39:4 tells us, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is." 

So, are you numbering your days?

What I mean by that is, do you think about your reasonable life expectancy in relation to the things God has placed upon your heart to accomplish, and do you take steps each day toward accomplishing these tasks?  Or, do you simply languish in front of the television all evening, every evening?

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of being intentional each day in the things I do and accomplish.  There is, and should be, some urgency.

John 9:4 admonishes us, "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.  The night is coming, and then no one can work."

But, what if you're not sure what it is you should be doing?  The Holy Bible tells each one of us just exactly what we should be doing.  In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us all to make disciples, baptize, and teach others His way.

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us that God's will is for us to be holy, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us that it is His will for us to be thankful in all circumstances.  James 1:27 goes on to encourage us to care for orphans and widows in their distress and not to let the world corrupt us.

Just exactly how this looks in your life and mine will be very different, but the excuse of not knowing what God wants you to do just won't fly.  Each day we have no shortage of opportunities to make disciples, to teach, to baptize.  But, we must seize those opportunities, using our gifts and talents, and that requires effort.

Romans 12:2 beautifully reminds us to be different, "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

As for me, God has placed a few more dreams in my heart, books in my fingers (they won't write themselves), Joy House to build (it won't build itself), and friends to partner with in sharing the Good News (like Operation Christmas Child and Mark Hamby at www.Lamplighter.net).  These tasks won't be easy, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't do them.  There's no place for cowards in God's Kingdom (Revelation 21:8).  

So, we better get busy.  I must be about my Father's business (Luke 2:49).

Goodnight, Runners.