Teach Us To Number Our Days
In our Spring / Summer 2024 Newsletter, I wrote this observation from our most recent mission trips to Brazil and Malta: “The greatest joy for me by far was that Ivalene was able to accompany me on the Malta SIM project.”
This was a big deal. For health reasons, Ivy had not traveled internationally since 2017. Her presence on this trip felt like a resurrection to me, and we had a joyful time serving together. We have more days behind us than in front of us, and serving together for this mission was a gift from God.
Speaking of resurrection, consider the before-mentioned sentiment in light of these insights from Day 33 of Resurrection Power.[1]
Preparing For Transition
After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them . . ." Acts 1:2 (MSG)
Luke records that Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. Throughout those 40 days, Jesus spent considerable time instructing his disciples about the kingdom of God.
He was preparing them for transition.
Jesus was intentional about passing on his mission to the disciples, who in turn passed it on to others, and so on.
Time Is Short
Nothing lasts forever in the natural world.
Time is limited for all of us.
The story of Jesus affirms this truth. Even as the resurrected Lord, He was keenly aware that He could be physically present for only 40 more days.
Jesus understood his limited time. He knew he had 33 years to walk the planet, 3 years to do the ministry, and 40 days remaining to finish the job.
He was on a deadline.
All of us are living on a deadline.
On Deadline
The Psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Paying attention to the time we have left on the planet is the quintessential Divine Perspective.
As for me, as long as God offers me the opportunity to serve him, I will do so as long as possible.
Lord, teach us to number our days.
Let Us Pray
“Lord teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Help me to empower those following me. Purify my heart and the work of my hands. Please help me to pass on only what is good and noble. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.”
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[1] ABOUT THIS SERIES: According to the historical church calendar, the Easter Season (also known as Eastertide) is the 50 day period from Resurrection Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Robert Webber notes in Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year that “the essential theme of Easter cannot be communicated in a day. It takes a season.”
Some years ago I blogged a devotional book examining the events and conversations surrounding Jesus during this time period called Resurrection Power: 50 Days That Rocked The World. Now with the perspective of a decade passed of life and study, I felt inspired to revisit those themes and share whatever the Holy Spirit would prompt. Hence, this article is an excerpt from the new revised edition of Resurrection Power forthcoming.
