09. Number Your Days

 

God’s Bucket List for You, part 2

 

Introduction

In Psalms 90:10-12, Moses prayed, The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

We’re only give so much time here on Earth and it is up to us to make everyday count. Each day breaks down into just 1440 minutes and when you subtract to amount for school/work and sleep, it’s even less. We should appreciate the amount we have daily.

 

I’ve Got Plenty of Time

How often have we said, or heard someone say, that they have plenty of years ahead of them to do this or that? Most young people believe that religion is for the older people; those headed into their twilight years that are “closer to death” than they were in their youth.

Yet, they don’t account for accidental deaths or unexpected diseases which cut their lifespan in half or two-thirds. Most live their lives like they’re immortal only to have something happen that brings the harsh reality to stare them right in the face.

As stated, in the previous bucket list article, most will go after those worldly things that make one happy: Promotions, house, car, spouse, children, world trips, etc. There’s nothing wrong achieving these things but, when the focus is primarily that, you lose sight of what’s really important. That is, the afterlife.

In Luke 12:16-20, Jesus tells this parable, “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. "And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” An individual who didn’t account for an unexpected death. All his work was for naught as he didn’t put God first in his life.

 

Appreciate the Time You Have

Here are some ways to appreciate the time you have and encouragement to put your priorities in the right order. Whether you’re 12 or 81, we need to think on these things.

Know that life is brief—Even if you live to be 120 years old, it’s still a drop in the bucket compared to the age of the earth. James wrote, whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14)

Work while it’s day—Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." Appreciate the time that you have, while alive, and make every day count. Work to make a living; don’t be idle (2 Thess. 3:8-10). However, when we die, our fate is sealed forever.

Death is certain—The writer of Hebrews states in Hebrews 9:27, And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. We can’t be sure of when we die, but we do know that we will die. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to read, Prepare for Death, the previous bucket list article.

Everything will end—This world will not continue forever. Like us, this planet has an expiration date and will cease to exist. As the apostle Peter wrote, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)

 

Conclusion

If God wrote your bucket list, I’m sure He would want you to make sure you number your days and make every one of them count. As Jesus states in Matthew 6:31-34, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”