Numbering Our Days

“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”

This humorous take on the seemingly increasing passage of time from the philosopher Dr. Seuss, definitely rings true for many of us who are older. It seems that the years are gathering speed.

• “Christmas is already here?”
• “It’s almost time for another year?”
• “Where has the time gone?”
• “My, how time flies!”

These and similar quotes are often expressed this time of year as the holiday season approaches and we stand on the brink of a new year, trading in our 2024 calendars for 2025.

Curious about what I had written in some past years during this time, I came across a post published exactly ten years ago today with this facebook quote from a friend and former Florida College classmate, Nancy Clendening Reaves, wife of gospel preacher Brownie Reaves.

“As I grow older, it seems the years are gathering speed and I am left in awe at the surreal fact that I am definitely well down the slope of life.”

Since Nancy’s a year younger than I am, her statement somewhat startled me. I replied then, “Really, Nancy? Are we really “well down the slope of life”? Maybe we’re just at the peak. After all Moses lived to be 120!”

Well, that was 10 years ago. By God’s grace, we’re both still here on planet earth. And we’ve all done a lot of living in the past decade. Lots of changes. More challenges. Increased opportunities. Packing and moving again, then again. Additional precious grandchildren. New friends. Exciting travels. Ten years on Medicare. And finally collecting Social Security checks!

These 10 years have also seen the passing of friends, family, and beloved brethren into eternity. Preaching heroes of mine have finished their course, their work completed, and resurrection morning awaits.

The inevitable passage of time and of special people who leave us was brought home once more at the recent passing of my Uncle, David Key. At his funeral service, Phillip Mullins reminded us of a passage from Moses’ psalm where he offered this admonishment and insight.

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.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:10,12)

While Moses lived to be 120, that’s not the norm. According to recent statistics the average life expectancy in the United States is 77.4 years. For men it’s 74.8. And for women it’s 80.2 years.

We usually number our years by the celebration of a birthday, but Moses advised that we number our days. We just live a day at a time. Numbering our days speaks to a realization that our days are indeed numbered. Both human observation and the Bible proclaims that “It is appointed for men once to die…” (Heb. 9:27).

Until that eventual appointment arrives we will all have days of sickness and health. Prosperity and adversity. Laughter and tears. Happiness and sorrow. Gain and loss. Success and failure.

Yet, each day is God’s gift for us to use in glorifying Him, doing good, serving others, growing spiritually, and making the most of our time and opportunities.

The American patriot Benjamin Franklin was spot on when he wrote, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”

If I doubted Nancy’s observation 10 years ago, it’s difficult to deny today. Indeed, as Chaucer expressed it “time and tide waits for no man.”

Number your days.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman