The Brevity of Our Days
Scripture:
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ 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. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.” ~ James 4:13 - 16
Reflection:
A recent death, expected or not, reminds you of the brevity of life here on earth. The familiar expectation of growing old and enjoying the later seasons of life takes on new weight when we are reminded that our time here can be cut short without warning.
This sobering reality invites us to reflect more deeply. Is there more to life than the daily grind - working endlessly, earning money, paying bills, and repeating the cycle? Is the goal simply to accumulate more things and set aside enough for a comfortable retirement?
Perhaps we’ve been asking the wrong questions.
What if, instead, we asked the Lord what He desires for our lives while we walk this earth? Could it be that He has greater purposes for us - plans we have yet to discover, let alone fulfill? Have we even invited Him into that conversation?
From the beginning of creation, God has called us to steward what He has placed in our hands. Our gifts, talents, and resources are not random - they are identifiable if we take the time to notice and reflect. This calling to stewardship has never been revoked.
The truth is, we do not know how much time we have left on this side of heaven to accomplish what God has asked of us. That reality should cause us to pause and consider: Where are we investing our time, our energy, and our focus? If we lived with this awareness, might we walk out our life with greater intentionality? Might it change our choices and our actions?
Life, unfortunately, often brings regrets. Some stay stuck in that space, never moving beyond past mistakes. Yet, God calls us to learn from those experiences - to grow, and to walk forward in wisdom. We are invited to mature through each season of life with the time we have been given.
So, let us ask ourselves: If we knew we had only a few months - or a year - to live, what would we do differently? What would truly matter? I suspect our values would shift. Our focus would become sharper. We might let go of certain habits and invest in what (and who) really matters.
Life is short, yes - but it is rich with opportunity when lived in step with God’s purposes. What we do with our time, energy, and resources matters - not just for this life, but for eternity.
Reflection Question:
If you knew you had only one year left to live, what would you change about how you are living today?
What is one area where God may be asking you to shift your focus or surrender control?
Closing Prayer:
Father, teach me to number my days and live wisely. Help me not to take my time on this earth for granted. Forgive me for the moments I have lived self-reliantly, without seeking Your will. Show me how to live each day with intention, humility, and eternal perspective. May my plans be surrendered to You. May my work, relationships, and choices reflect Your heart and purposes. Help me not to waste the time You have given me. Lead me in wisdom and grant me the courage to follow where You lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.
