I’ve been thinking a lot lately about time – how I choose to spend it, and whether I’m truly using it well.

When we’re young, we rarely think about time in terms of limits. We only look forward to the next milestone: turning 13, then 16, then 21. We live like we have forever. But as we get older, reality begins to settle in. Time is a precious commodity. There are only so many hours in a day, days in a month, months in a year—and only so many years attached to our lives.

When I reflect on that reality, it awakens a desire to make every moment count. To live a life that fulfills the purpose and calling God has placed on me. The last thing I want is to reach the end of my time here on Earth and realize I’ve wasted it on things that did absolutely nothing to further God’s Kingdom.

In Psalm 90:12 (NIV), we read a prayer attributed to Moses that says:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

This is not a morbid request – it is a cry for awareness. A prayer for understanding the brevity of life so we can live with purpose and wisdom. It calls us to prioritize what truly matters. Numbering our days doesn’t mean obsessing over death; it means recognizing the value of each day and asking God to show us how to live them well.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) echoes this:

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

We are living in difficult times. Our country, and those around us, are enormously divided. There is much unrest, anger, judgment, and intolerance. It is easy to get swept up in debates and distractions, but what if we look at the world through a different lens? What if, instead of shouting across protest lines, venting on social media, or allowing differences in political affiliations to tear apart our families, we chose to spend our time on our knees, praying for our nation, our leaders, and the lost?

Perhaps people do pray quietly, behind the dramatic, chaotic scenes, but from the outside, it’s not always what others see. There are so many lost souls who do not know the God we serve. And unless our lives reflect His love and peace, how will they?

Colossians 4:5 (NIV) challenges us:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Are we making the most of our time with people who don’t yet know Jesus? Do our actions, words, and posts reflect His heart? Are we building bridges to the Kingdom or unintentionally tearing them down?

James 4:14 (NIV) reminds us:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

We only have so many days on this planet. Why not spend them wisely? Why not pour our lives into our purpose—leading others to Christ, loving well, and living out the Gospel in every corner of our lives?

Time is short. It’s fleeting. And once it’s gone, we can’t get it back.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me to number my days and to use each one wisely. Help me live with purpose, walk in Your will, and make the most of every moment. Let my time on earth reflect Your glory and draw others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.