Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

A few years ago, I read a book called Living Life Backward and it changed my life. The book walks through Ecclesiastes and explores the way our lives can be lived to the fullest under the weight and reality that our days are numbered. When we begin with the end in mind and know who we want to be and how we want to live, it frees us up to make the easy and hard decisions along the way.

If the goal is determined, the parameters can be set and freedom can be enjoyed. Sounds simple, right?!

Psalm 39 gives us a prayer for this – “Lord, make me aware of my end… so that I will know how short-lived I am.”

Unfortunately, our family has come face-to-face with death multiple times. We have been a part of more funerals than I want to count, and we have grieved ourselves and alongside our family and friends in soul-crushing moments of pain. And when we end up at the service where everyone is trying to celebrate a life well lived, my heart always longs to live a life that really, really matters.

What kind of life do you want to live? Who do you really want to be? And how do you really want to be remembered?

And how, at the end of life, can the sum of my days impact the rest of the world? The same way you eat an elephant – one bite at a time.

My life is comprised of days, moments, decisions, opportunities. If I want a life of faithfulness to the Lord, I have to be consistent in reading His Word and praying. If I want a life of generosity, I have to give a little today, a little tomorrow, and a little every day moving forward. If I want to live a life of integrity, I have to be honorable in today’s conversations and today’s decisions. If I want to lead people to Christ, I must tell people about Him today, tomorrow, and every day moving forward.

Why wait? David asked the same – “Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.”

We have no reason to wait, our hope is secure. As believers, our eternity is secure in Christ. But what about our days on earth? They are filled with opportunities and moments – let’s make the most of them for the glory of God!

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.