Where Did The Time Go?

Over this past couple of weeks, my son got married. It was a joyous time and a perfect day for it. The sun was shining and there wasn't even a hint of a storm cloud on the horizon. I was the best man and my wife was the photographer, two very important jobs when it comes to weddings. I am so happy for him and my new daughter as they begin their own journey into marriage.

I've heard it said that it seems like our kids grow up so fast and honestly, I thought they were crazy. There seemed to be plenty of time to do all the things we wanted to do, the future was bright and endless. But that's changed now that I'm older. Now I see what they mean and I guess my son will have to deal with hearing me say the same thing when he, God willing, has children of his own.

So what happened? Where did all that time go? I mean, either senility is already kicking in and I'm losing memories, or I was foolish in my thinking. When we are young we see our days as though we will live forever, but that is a mirage only youthful eyes can see. As we age, we come face to face with our own mortality and those youthful eyes dim with clarity. For those of us who live long enough, wisdom slips in and blocks out the ignorance of youth. For some, this is a time when we hit a mid-life crisis. We try to fight off the aging process and run around with reckless abandon, acting as though we are still in the prime of our lives. Of course, we only make fools of ourselves and, in time, we may come to our senses. But somehow, this makes sense to the walking dead. Those who have not placed their trust in Christ and repented of their sins have no hope after this life so this is all they have and if I were in their place, I too would be scared of aging. But I'm not in their place.

As Christians, we should welcome this new found wisdom and embrace it. Look at what the Psalmist says;

Psalm 39:4-5(ESV) “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah"

This is a prayer I aim to memorize and claim as my own. I don't want my life to pass by without doing the things that matter most. I would rather my "mid-life" crisis be spent seeking after God, and telling those around me about the precious Gospel of Christ, rather than wasting time on frivolous pursuits. While I'm alive there is work to be done! "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21(ESV)

Interestingly, Moses asked for the same thing in Psalm 90:12;

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."(ESV)

I now see the wisdom in knowing that this life will pass away like a mist, James 4:14, and I don't want every opportunity that God gives me to dissipate in the same way. By acknowledging our limited life here on earth we are not giving up, as some would reason, we are only showing true wisdom and can make the most of the time we do have for the glory of God.

Repent and believe before it's too late