So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. PSALM 90 NIV
As I reflected on Psalm 90:12, I was impressed with the importance of enjoying each day as God gives it. We only have today. Yesterday is gone and we know not what tomorrow brings, yet how often have we been so distracted by the hurts,offenses and failures of yesterday and the fears and anticipated uncertainties of tomorrow that we have allowed those musings to assassinate the blessings that God has wrapped up in Today?
Perhaps someone said unkind things or did absolutely atrocious or abusive things on yesterday. Perhaps a childhood was consumed as one saw, heard or experienced too much too soon. Perhaps we have experienced pain and cried buckets of tears on yesterday, but God saw fit to rescue us and preserve us for Today. Not to minimize anyone's experiences for I know that my past helped to make me who I am today, but God is blessing Today and I don't want to miss it.
He is sending people to show us love, to appreciate what life has taught us-- even through adversity. He is creating in us a sense of love for the community of faith. He is giving opportunities we don't deserve and opening doors we had no idea needed opening. Thank God, He is closing doors we often don't have sense enough to know need closing. He is providing for our needs, just like He said He would. He is letting us see new sunrises and sunsets and enjoy gentle breezes in our hair. He allows us to taste delicious foods, even some that we did not have to prepare. He is continually forgiving us for our sins and conforming us to the image of Christ as we walk in Him.
Each day, the Lord, Our God, is sending new mercies. How often do we savor them, smile about them, or tell others about them? How often do we share today's blessings with our children and ask them how God is moving in their life?
"Lord, life is so short, help me to value each day that you allow me to see. Help me to use it to your glory and to the furtherance of your kingdom." Forgive me for looking backward at yesterday and failing to see what you have so lovingly placed in my lap to enjoy Today. Teach me to number my days."
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Teach Us to Number Our Days
Teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90 KJV
Lord, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may gain in wisdom.Help us to value the importance of each day so that we don't take our days for granted. Help us to see each day as a gift from Our Creator to be used to further His plan for our life and to give Him glory. Forgive us when we have acted as if we were the captain of our own ship and failed to appreciated Today.
I had no idea when I went about making my plans that I would be in the hospital for ten days this fall, and a second time before the month was over to correct an error in diagnosis and a resulting error in the prescription of medicine. It was not in my life's goals, nor in my Church planner nor in anyone's Blackberry and yet there I was lying on my back; sick, fearful and many times feeling alone.
I saw others come and go in the same condition or worse, and most of us had other things that we thought we would be doing. The jaunt to the hospital was inconvenient, expensive and worrisome, and yet it was a reality for a sizable portion of my month.
During this time, I had plenty of time to reflect. I learned many unasked for lessons. I got to see myself from a different perspective and learned aspects of God's loving kindness that I had not before encountered.
One such reflection centered on the fact that we never know what tomorrow holds. I was impressed with that thought that since this is true, I needed to do whatever God has put in my heart to do Today. That might start with just saying "Yes, Lord", and yielding to His wishes. It may be a series of small decisions all leading to His final goal. It might begin with the preparation to be able to do what He has asked. Many times obedience entails a number of baby steps rather than one dramatic and immediate finish. For me, obeying God may start with prayers for guidance, asking others for help with the parts I am not sure of, talking up my courage, or getting an accountability partner to help eliminate false starts and no follow-through.
Since I doubt if we get points in heaven for almost obeying God or for thinking about doing so, I figured out that I needed to do those things I have already heard Him say do and stop adding them to my list of things to do when I have time. Transformation comes decision by decision, step by obedient step and act upon act.
The truth of the matter is we have Today. Wiser folk than I have said, "Don't put off for tomorrow the things we can do Today."
"Lord, thank you for using even an unexpected, unpleasant occurrence to teach me to number my days for I truly want to gain in wisdom."
Lord, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may gain in wisdom.Help us to value the importance of each day so that we don't take our days for granted. Help us to see each day as a gift from Our Creator to be used to further His plan for our life and to give Him glory. Forgive us when we have acted as if we were the captain of our own ship and failed to appreciated Today.
I had no idea when I went about making my plans that I would be in the hospital for ten days this fall, and a second time before the month was over to correct an error in diagnosis and a resulting error in the prescription of medicine. It was not in my life's goals, nor in my Church planner nor in anyone's Blackberry and yet there I was lying on my back; sick, fearful and many times feeling alone.
I saw others come and go in the same condition or worse, and most of us had other things that we thought we would be doing. The jaunt to the hospital was inconvenient, expensive and worrisome, and yet it was a reality for a sizable portion of my month.
During this time, I had plenty of time to reflect. I learned many unasked for lessons. I got to see myself from a different perspective and learned aspects of God's loving kindness that I had not before encountered.
One such reflection centered on the fact that we never know what tomorrow holds. I was impressed with that thought that since this is true, I needed to do whatever God has put in my heart to do Today. That might start with just saying "Yes, Lord", and yielding to His wishes. It may be a series of small decisions all leading to His final goal. It might begin with the preparation to be able to do what He has asked. Many times obedience entails a number of baby steps rather than one dramatic and immediate finish. For me, obeying God may start with prayers for guidance, asking others for help with the parts I am not sure of, talking up my courage, or getting an accountability partner to help eliminate false starts and no follow-through.
Since I doubt if we get points in heaven for almost obeying God or for thinking about doing so, I figured out that I needed to do those things I have already heard Him say do and stop adding them to my list of things to do when I have time. Transformation comes decision by decision, step by obedient step and act upon act.
The truth of the matter is we have Today. Wiser folk than I have said, "Don't put off for tomorrow the things we can do Today."
"Lord, thank you for using even an unexpected, unpleasant occurrence to teach me to number my days for I truly want to gain in wisdom."
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