“Teach us the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
I was surprised when I noticed that the grass under the trees was covered with dry, yellow leaves. Surprised because after months of rain, we had finally had a month of sunshine and warm weather, and already the leaves were dying.
Spring had produced new, green growth on all the trees and bushes, and the sides of the roads looked and felt like a rain forest. Beautiful, but we were all wishing for warm weather.
However, after only a few weeks of sun, those same green leaves were now dying and falling to the ground. Of course, most of the leaves were still green and on the trees, but the dry leaves on the grass were a sign that autumn was coming soon.
Sitting in the golf cart on the beautiful course, I thought about the life cycles of every living thing — plants, animals, and people. For some the life cycle in short, for some it is longer, but one thing is certain: every life cycle eventually comes to an end.
The Psalmist tells us to acknowledge the brevity of life, so we will grow in wisdom. If we live without taking into account that life is short, if we don’t face the fact that soon we will be facing our Maker, we squander many days. However, if we recognize that this life is a journey and that when it ends, we go on to our eternal life — life without end — we try, with God’s help, to make our days productive and pleasing to God.
When I was thirty years of age, I was challenged to think about what I wanted others to say about me at my memorial. That challenge made me think about the purpose for my life. I knew I wanted to glorify God and to love, serve, and obey Him. Although I certainly messed up at times, I did set a standard to live my life by.
God changed (and is changing) our lives and wants to change you into the person He (and you) want to be. Why not take the step of faith today and allow Him to empower you direct you from now on.
You can take this step of faith by sincerely praying his prayer:
“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen. ”
Further Reading:
Searching for a Higher Purpose – Betty Lau’s stor
Bloom Where you are Planted – the Diane Willis story
How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit – How does the Holy Spirit fit into Christianity?.