Psalm 39:4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.”

This was a very important and honest prayer of David, but one that I think few people pray. I don’t think he was asking to know the date and time of his death, or even the specific age, but rather, he wanted a clear awareness of his own mortality. That’s something we all need, but it’s sadly lacking much of the time. This isn’t to make us timid, unwilling to take risks because they might shorten our already short life, but rather to examine the time we do have, to use it as our Creator intends. This is something we all should do, but it’s rare. Several years ago a movie made the term, “bucket list,” popular: the things you want to do before you die. That’s not bad in itself, but it’s very self-centered. Our bucket list should be, “What does God want me to do while I’m on this earth?” There’s nothing more satisfying than fulfilling your purpose, and far too many people have no idea what their purpose is. Accomplishments can be wonderful, and indeed, very meaningful, but how do they measure up on the scale of eternity? Individual acts of kindness, of being used by God to bless those around us, are probably the most meaningful things we can do. Grand schemes, getting our names in the history books, aren’t bad in themselves, but again, if the focus is on us rather than our Creator, they are ultimately meaningless.

This hits close to home for me, because I have immediate ancestors who are indeed in the history books, including my father and my maternal grandfather. They accomplished some remarkable things, but it was in their daily commitment and obedience to Christ that it all had meaning. I haven’t had such major events in my life, but the Lord has used me to touch a lot of people, and I’m grateful. I’m currently 14 years older than my father was when the Lord called him home, so I need to examine why the Lord is keeping me here. One day is neither more nor less valuable than another, whatever happens in that day. The question is always, whether I am listening obediently to my Lord, using the time as He desires. Today is a “big” day from some standards, with the Kyushu Gospel Festa taking up most of it, but it is ultimately just one more day for me to be faithful to my Lord. I am to receive and exercise each moment of it with my focus on Him first, then on the people around me, and only then on myself. If I will do that, then it will be “accomplishful” as He intends.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I have been a bit stressed about today, particularly with the Taiwan team coming here as well. Thank You for giving me the message for tomorrow on Wednesday, so that my preparations for the service were taken care of early. May I indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You whatever You have on the schedule, so that Your purposes may be accomplished as You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!