Life’s Brevity – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

When you were young, do you remember feeling like your days would never end? Then, as the years passed, do you recall discovering that life is actually brief? The very ground we currently walk on will definitely outlast every one of us. That’s why it’s wise to do our planning in the light of life’s brief nature.

Not one moment of today’s experience can ever be retrieved or relived. Each second stands totally on its own. That unavoidably means that with every minute we live, we have less future ahead and more of our lives are forever behind us! The Bible therefore teaches us to “…redeem the time…” (Colossians 4:5) Our passing moments instantly become permanent. As the months and seasons transpire, history is being created, so not one hour of one day can be taken for granted or far worse be – wasted!

During these last few moments, while you have been reading – new “history” has been established throughout the entire world. Whatever you and current generations have just experienced has already been etched in time. For better or for worse as the Bible declares, once lived, time becomes “… like a fleeting shadow” (Psalm 144:4).

The Bible instructs us to live wisely (see Proverbs 4:4-7) so be careful not to miss the high privilege of close daily fellowship with God. The Lord’s disciples were given no time to squander! Our days are truly valuable and they all belong to Him. Our lives were not redeemed to spend on endless self-absorbed activities. We are called and privileged to spend quality personal time alone with our Creator! (see Psalm 46:10)

Jesus Christ our Lord and He is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

When our Lord died on the cross in our place – He made the supreme sacrifice required to rescue us. When that occurred, He lovingly purchased all the hours of all our remaining days. In that deep awareness, Paul described the focus of his time by saying, “For me to live is Christ…” (Philippines 1:21a)

As members the Lord’s current generation of disciples, we must remember that we are literally His and not our own. We were purchased for the highest possible price! For that reason, when we wake up in the morning, it is to make ourselves available for that day’s – new assignment. The Apostle Paul clearly explained this reality which provides our understanding of a Christian’s highly rewarding lifestyle! He wrote, “…we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He for ordained that we should accomplish.” (Ephesians 2:10)

We each have exactly the same 24 hours in a day – what matters is how we choose to use them. Contemplate this question: How wisely are you currently using your time? How much do you want to experience God’s best for today’s remaining hours? If your answer is “greatly,” then now is the time to tell Him. After that, you can move ahead in faith expecting His guidance. Never be indifferent about the great potential of hours that are prayerfully invested rather than being thoughtlessly wasted. Life is far too precious for naïve boredom or the habit of postponed spiritual obedience!