“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth is. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is” (Ps.39:4). And grant me a heart of wisdom, a Gospel-shaped schedule, and freedom to let go of stuff.”
Heavenly Father, you haven’t made us for “15 minutes of fame” (Andy Warhol), but for an eternity of glorifying you and enjoying you. As this day begins, we praise you for our trustworthy hope and spectacular future. We also praise you for our current “in-Christ-ness,” standing in grace, and rootedness in your love. Hallelujah!
Only you know how many hairs and days we have left. Only you know the delight-filled Day you’ll send Jesus back. So, in light of the Gospel, what should we spend more time doing? What’ve we been putting off that really matters to you?
Where in Jesus’ story of redemption and restoration would you have us invest more of our passion, energy, joy and tears—human trafficking, advocacy for the poor, elder care, missions to a particular unreached people group, encouraging missionaries and young pastors—seeing our present vocation more through the lens of the Gospel?
What’s bugging us that isn’t all that “bug-worthy”? Who do we need to forgive, release, and move on? Where should we spend more of your grace and less of our worries? How can we stop letting fear get away with grand larceny in our lives? With whom should we spend more face-to-face and heart-to-heart time? Who’s coming behind us that we need to teach and nurture in the Gospel?
Father, none of these questions has a scorecard attached to it. It’s Jesus’ performance, record, and righteousness in which we trust and rest. But your grace frees us to ask the right questions, live freer, more intentional lives. So Very Amen.