The following post is written by East-West’s Executive Vice President of Field Ministries.
I have been counting down my remaining days—based on a life expectancy of 80 years—for some time. On each new day I subtract one day from yesterday and write the new number in my calendar.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” -Psalm 90:12
I know that keeping track of my possible remaining days is not the core creator of wisdom in my heart and mind. The more high leverage creators of wisdom are the Word, prayer, wise counsel, confession, reflection and reading stuff by brilliant people.
But, low leverage as it may be, counting down my days has taught me some things.
I have learned how fast the days are going.
I have actually known this already, but the daily “minus one” habit is severely reinforcing this reality. I have no idea how I got to be in my 60s! It seems to me that days are very long but decades are very short.
I remember when I was a preteen and my oldest cousin turned 20. I remember the deep sadness I felt, thinking that he was so bitterly old and his life was going away rapidly. I remember being profoundly grateful that I was young and not old like him.
But here I am in my 60s numbering my days because they are short and fast and I want to make them every one of them count.
I have learned that it is easy to lose count.
When this happens, I have to recalculate the remaining days and go through the whole “how many leap years” thing again. Even though I am religious about this countdown I occasionally miss a day and forget to write down the new number.
Every day is a fight for diligence in all the areas, including, but not limited to the following:
- Did I get into the Word?
- Did I encourage my wife today?
- Have I been praying today?
- Did I have some fun today?
- Did I relax?
- Did I read something helpful?
- Did I pay the bills?
- Did I floss my teeth?
- Did I get to work on time?
As the proverb says,“it takes very little neglect to let anything fall into deep disrepair” (Proverbs 24:30-34). We must remain diligent in our disciplines to find true wisdom.
I have learned that this stage of life is a kick.
Granted, my health problems have been minor in the great kindness of God! I can still walk, backpack, and lift semi-heavy objects. My pains are minimal and my loss of speed and strength, while noticeable, are not yet alarming.
Truthfully I am looking at today and the years ahead, if God gives them to me, as very enjoyable and high impact years. One writer even says that our decade of greatest impact is our 60s. I have no idea if he is right, but for me, it feels right.
I am gradually moving into the “sage stage” of life where I have the fun of helping, encouraging and motivating others and not being “the buck stops here” guy any longer. Hallelujah! I look forward to passing the baton and cheering on my predecors.
There is wisdom in empowering others to operate without me. And not to mention, it’s a kick!
I have learned that some people think it’s ridiculous that I count my remaining days.
And they may be right. But the real learning for me is that I find this exercise spiritually helpful because it helps me keep my sights on the right things.
The Father says it is wise to number our days, so I—quite literally—want to follow His instructions.
I believe that when each of this do so in whatever way best fits us, we are encouraged to invest our lives in what truly matters—like our relationship to the Father, our families, our jobs, our ministries and the lost world.
So how are you counting your days to gain a heart of wisdom?