Life? It’s About Time!

According to latest statistics, life expectancy for an average human being in the United States is currently at 78.4 years.

What if you compared  78.4 years to a 24 hour day? According to the formula each hour is represented by 3.267 years of life.  What time is it in your life?

If you are 10 years old, it’s 3 AM

If you are 20 years old, it’s 6:24 AM

If you are 30 year years old, it’s 9:00 AM

If you are 40 years old, it’s past noon for you.

If you are 50 years old, it’s 3:18 PM

If you are 60 years old, it’s 6:22 PM

What time is it in your life?  You do the math!  This illustration makes real the Psalmist’s exhortation, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90:1).  In other words realize the brevity of life.  That life is fleeting.  Fading. Transitory.

I was reminded once again of the stark truth and startling reality of this fact this week.  I received a call that a long time friend of mine, Ted Brewer, died suddenly of an aneurism.   He was 61 years old.  Earlier in the year another friend and fellow gospel preacher died at 53 years old. Their families and friends are blessed and comforted by the fact the both were faithful Christians.  

Staying with us this week in a gospel meeting is Dan DeGarmo.  Back in January he and Serena’s 2 month old son, Azaiah, died of SIDS.  While a devastating  loss, they are comforted that he is “safe in the arms of Jesus.” 

So, the “clock of life” with it’s cold mathematical calculation is not exactly accurate.  We may not make it to midnight.  On the other, I had a professor in college, Harry Payne, Sr., who just celebrated his 100^th birthday!   

Yesterday, we introduced the word of the week, “stewardship.”  We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our time.  To use it wisely.  Profitably.  Productively.  Benjamin Franklin expressed it this way: “Dost thou love life?  Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is mad of.”

We can began today by saying, “this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Just for today no grumbling. No griping. No fussing. No fighting. Just rejoicing!

As you think of all these things, consider Laura Palmer’s advice, “Don’t waste today regretting yesterday instead of making a memory for tomorrow.” I’m reminded of a story by Ann Wells printed in the LA Times several years ago.

“My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. “This,” he said, “is not a slip. This is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.” 

“Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.”  

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

Today is your day. The day the Lord has given you.   Live it. Love it. Enjoy it. Make it a special day. Make it His day.  After all, it’s the only day you have.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman