Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
A common theme of 2016 was the constant reminder of the brevity of life. Many experienced personal losses of relatives or friends. News stories reported on mass shootings and terroristic attacks. Social media broadcast fatal police brutality against citizens. Headlines brought attention to targeted shooting of policemen. And then there was the loss of celebrity after celebrity…so many in fact that #RIP found its way into the top 10 hashtags of the year.
It was a constant uncomfortable reminder that our days on earth are indeed numbered. Though that fact may seem daunting, especially in the context of a fresh new year, with the right perspective, it should also bring you hope.
When you think about it, death is simply a “life deadline”. And deadlines promote a sense of urgency. A desire to prioritize what’s most important and focus on getting it done. Deadlines motivate you to take immediate action to accomplish worthwhile goals. Deadlines drive intention, concentrated efforts in certain areas to ensure maximum impact.
In short, deadlines help you put time in its proper perspective. Hence, the psalmist’s request, “Teach us to number our days…” Help us understand that time is a limited commodity. Remind us that life is fleeting. Stress that we each have an allotted number of days.
Why?
…so pessimism can set in?
…so regret about previously wasted time can consume us?
…so fear can take over and paralyze us?
No. None of the above, but “…so that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
…so that we act in light of that information.
…so that we demonstrate our need to diligently accomplish Your purposes.
…so that we value the time given and maximize the opportunities therein.
Deadlines shape your perspective and influence your activity.
When you realize your days on earth are numbered, you don’t want to waste time doing things that are unimportant, uninspiring, and unproductive. You want to apply your heart, dedicate your time, utilize your hands to accomplish worthwhile goals. On the flip-side, if time is devalued, anything that grabs your attention can steal your time (email notifications, a scroll through social media, can’t-miss TV shows, etc). The immediate crowds out the important. Don’t let that happen to you.
The truth is, none of us knows the official date of our “life deadline”. So view every day as that potential date.
Whose life would you invest in? What 5 things would top your to-do list? Which activities would you see as significant? What could you easily eliminate as unimportant? Would you prioritize time with family over that program? Should time with God outrank social media posts? Does that 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-hour a day job you work reflect your true calling and maximize your unique gifts, talents, and skills? Your perspective of death shapes your activity in life.
Use deadlines to increase your productivity.
- Start at the end. The intent according to Psalm 90:12 is to present to God a heart of wisdom. Wisdom is application of the truth. It moves from general knowledge about the Bible to implementing it in the various situations in life. As you identify and work toward your goals this year, pinpoint how each goal ties to Biblical wisdom. This little step will determine if it is a constructive use of your time. For example, some health-related goals many have at the beginning of the year include losing weight, quitting smoking, or eating healthier. These reflect the Biblical principle that our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit within us and we are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Investing time in accomplishing those goals with 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in mind demonstrate a heart of wisdom.
- Set boundaries around your time. Your goals, when identified, dictate what decisions you make to achieve them. Just like a financial budget to keep your spending, saving, and investing in check, develop a time budget that accounts for every hour of the day. Not only will it keep you focused on what you need to accomplish and at what time, but it can keep you accountable to your stated goals. When unplanned requests or invitations come up, ask yourself, “Does this request from my boss/family member/friend align with or conflict with me reaching my goal?” “Will this action propel me toward or distract me from hitting my target?” Then say “No” to the things that will compromise you reaching your destination and “Yes” to the things that benefit your goal achievement. Remember, you only have 24 hours per day. Determine to invest your time in things that complement your purpose.
- Adopt Paul’s mindset. To be the most productive, you have to remember your WHY. Paul, in Philippians 3:12 asserted that he wanted to lay hold of the purpose for which Jesus laid hold of him. In other words, Jesus specifically called him, just like He intentionally called you. Paul didn’t want to miss out on pursuing and grasping the very reason for which he was chosen. Neither should you. But what was the reason? What was Paul’s WHY for accomplishing all that he did?
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith” Philippians 3:8-9 (emphasis added).
Paul could be super-productive: serve believers, persuade unbelievers, endure persecution, withstand shipwrecks, suffer beatings, encounter rejection, bear incarcerations, handle opposition, juggle two jobs, travel extensively, three missionary journeys, preach the gospel, establish churches, correspond with them to ensure growth, and count it all joy while doing it all…because of his super-focus. Not on multiple things, but one thing.
His eyes weren’t on Facebook followers, Instagram likes or reTweets. He didn’t care about his privileged upbringing, his tarnished past, nor the accolades or reproach of man. He had a single focus…knowing Jesus Christ…and he placed great value on achieving that goal. His decisions and actions complemented that goal as he kept Jesus at the forefront of his mind. And the level of his productivity is undeniable.
You’ll experience Him maximize your productivity in every other area to ensure you accomplish that goal.
Deadlines keep you aware of your limited time here on earth. It is imperative to decide every day to choose what’s most important over what’s insignificant. Seek real impact over mere activity. And above all else, let your desire to know and please Jesus inform your decisions and actions. That reflects to God a heart of wisdom.