I received another insightful nugget of wisdom from my inspiring friend, Greg, as I left after visiting him at the VA hospital. After spending time with someone you are trying to encourage by your presence, do you, too, feel more spiritually alive?
“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.” ~Muhammad Ali
This quote had even more significance coming from Greg, as he has been in the hospital for three months, has a feeding tube in his stomach with just a slim possibility of eating again, and is losing more of the limited mobility he had left in his legs.
Greg embodies and lives out the truth of this quote each day of his life, especially throughout the last 43 years of facing more physical challenges that started with a tumor at the base of his brain in his spinal column. This man has endured so much with physical limitations yet remains positive and steadfast in his faith. He makes each day count by figuring out ways he can bring the love and joy of God to others, as well as remaining close to God through everything.
Photo courtesy of Randstad Canada under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. –Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
This is insight Moses wrote that I believe fits perfectly with the quote Greg shared. Rather than counting the days until an event is supposed to happen or we get something done, we should focus on making the most of today, God’s gift to us. None of us knows when God will call us home. Each day has endless opportunities for our hearts to grow in the love and wisdom of God.
I believe the quote and Scripture brings us comfort and are good reminders to reflect on especially the once a year we get to celebrate our grand entrance into this world. No matter who we are, young or old, or what our circumstances are, we should focus on making each day of our lives count.
What are some ways we can make each day count?
1-Be good stewards of what God has given us in this world, both materially and spiritually.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” –Genesis 1:28 (NIV)
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. –Acts 2:44-46 (NLT)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. –1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Being made in God’s image, He gave us the responsibility of being stewards of all His creation that He fashioned. God also gave us material possessions, and He has blessed each of us with spiritual gifts. Are we good stewards of creation and our material possessions? Are we sharing our unique spiritual gifts and God’s grace to build up the Body of Christ?
2- Live sensibly and with intentionality.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. –Ephesians 5:15-21 (NIV)
As Christians, it is our responsibility to live wisely, sensibly, and with intentionality. God’s word encourages us to be filled with the Spirit, to share with each other about God working in our lives, and to see how the Word of God comes alive to us. Our hearts should be overflowing with songs of thanksgiving and gratitude for everything we experience in this life. Because of Christ in us, we love and care for each other.
3-Seek to grow in God’s wisdom.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” –Matthew 7:24 (NLT)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. –James 3:13-18 (NIV)
Being able to seek and grow in God’s wisdom is a gift that we, as humans, can be filled with. If we read Scripture, follow Jesus’ teachings, pray, and take time to be still and listen to God, we gain more wisdom. When we see lives filled with virtuous deeds, humility, pureness, peace, sincerity, and mercy, among other fruits of the Spirit, we know God’s wisdom is dwelling.
Be encouraged this week to…
…make each day count and live it to the fullest in God’s kingdom.
…practice better stewardship with all God has entrusted to you personally in the world, materially and spiritually.
…live more sensibly and with intentionality, blessing others.
…grow more in wisdom by spending more time with God.
REFLECTION:
What is one action item you can implement to live more sensibly?
How can you be a better steward of a spiritual gift God has graced you with?
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” –Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT)
