"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
I often ponder the concept of time. We only know time as having beginning, and end. We were born, at some point in time, and one day its inevitable, our time will run out and we will pass on. So, what to do in the interim? The answer is...ALOT!
Do you ever look at the clock and say "Wow, I just wasted so much time." Sad to say, you wont ever get those moments back. Each of us has been given the same 24 hours in a day. Do you ever wonder why some people get so much done in a day? While for others it seems each day passes faster and faster and nothing off the never ending "to-do" list gets done. I have had experience in both!
So often I have spent my time looking forward to something (we all say it, "I can't wait for this, or that"). While there's no harm in getting excited about our future, there is a reason why it hasn't happened yet. We are to enjoy the present time, the here and now. Dont miss opportunities that God has set before you, even in this very instant. The other day a friend and I were talking about how when your going through something hard, its tempting to take on that attitude of "lets just power through this". But I advise you to not "power through" the situations in your life in which you are given in order to gain wisdom, grow deeper and become stronger. I can look back at my life and name dozens of times in which I just 'powered through', without really letting the situation sink in, and learning all I could from it.
Maybe your in school, hanging on by a thread until you graduate and get the degree, which inevitably secures your future with a career. But as your always looking "forward", you may miss the here and now opportunities. For example, say you have a teacher you can't stand. It's all you can do not to throw tomatoes at him or her in class each day. You and other classmates talk about how much better you would do if you had someone else. But what about that teacher? Maybe they are going through something in their life that is causing their apathy. Would you be brave enough to reach out to them? Now thats not to say that there arent people out there who just shouldnt be doing what they are doing. Thats a different story. But, ask yourself, "what is my role in this situation?". You may find out that its much bigger than you think.
Or maybe your a stay at home mom, feeling like you have no purpose. For the time being your sole purpose is to raise your children. Some day they will be teenagers (yikes!) and one day adults, making decisions that affect their life and those around them. Your short time with them to shape and mold them is crucial. I see so many kids on a weekly basis that have seen more in their short life than I would wish on anyone. They've been abandoned by their own parents. (Thank goodness for foster homes!) No matter what your family situation is, make the most of it and be thankful!
There are moments when I feel guilty for not being able to stay at home full time to raise my kiddos. I know so many moms that work outside the home to offer a 2nd income to their families. But my time away doesn't compensate our family financially yet (Im not saying that as a complaint, mostly just stating facts!) I often wonder if they are missing out and will one day resent me for not being at home 24-7. Then I am reminded, that my deepest desire is to show my kids that our lives do not belong to ourselves. We absolutely are called by God to serve those around us. I want to teach them that whatever gift or avenue they choose to explore, they can be used in a mighty way to impact the lives of those around them. Not for their own glory or success, but for the glory of God.
One of my favorite dances we have ever done was to a song entitled "Blink". The chorus is "It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash, it happens in the time it took to look back..." That song inspired me to remember that my days are numbered. I may live to be 101 years old, or I may live to 52. I dont know, and I dont need to know. All I can do is be thankful for TODAY. I also am thankful that beyond this life, eternity (of which I have no comprehension!) is waiting for me.
We ALL have been given ONE life. ONE body. ONE soul. Our days are numbered, and we are to steward each of those wisely. Not selfishly pursuing things that make us "feel good". But asking ourselves and God what it is that we can do with our life to benefit others.
So today, whether its June 7th, 2012, or some other day, remember that it will only happen once.
Choose wisely and Love deeply.
