Life Is Short

Seventy years are given to us!

Some even live to eighty.

But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;

soon they disappear, and we fly away.

Who can comprehend the power of your anger?

Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:10-12 (NLT)

There aren't as many things that can make a person as impatient as the realization that our lives are quite short. Some may live to eighty or more, and others not quite as long. The shortness of our lifespans can tempt us to do as much as we can as quickly as we can.

Prayer can sometimes be tainted with this fear. We can pray, "God, I'm not getting any younger. Would You grant my request soon? Don't You understand how short my life is?" But His response would be, "Do you understand how short your life is?" God knows exactly how many are the number of your days. Trust Him to work His will with unmatched wisdom and mercy.

This passage in the Psalms says that in order for us to grow in wisdom, we need to see how short our life here on earth is. We all have different circumstances to respond to. Every day is an opportunity to respond in a wise way. Tomorrow—not even the rest of today—is promised us. Treat each moment as though it were your last opportunity to act upon your circumstances with wisdom and love.

The true concern should not be how long your life may be, but in how full of love that life is. Do not seek to live a long life, only for it to be void of purpose. Seek to live an abundant life each day, treating each one as though it were your last. Seek wisdom each day, appreciating the opportunities found throughout each hour. Do not defer your happiness to an unpromised tomorrow. Time is scarce, so spend it wisely.

Non Nobis Nati