By Pastor Kevin Barnhart
Spring Grove Evangelical Free
Thrumming in the deepest part of my heart was a steady reminder that this breath is a gift. I would like to tell you that eons ago I learned to number my days, but that isn’t altogether true. I am and have been learning this lesson for a lifetime. Every day we are being sharpened by God. Flawed…human… too often blinded by busyness, confused by selfish desires, led astray by empty promises.
The number of hearts that are filled to the brim with lists of things to do, overflowing with stressful tasks that demand and divide our attention is endless. Kids have sports, school, work, friends, outings, field trips, lessons, extracurricular activities and so much more. Adults have jobs, kids, spouses, friends, houses, cars, farms, pets, families, appointments, meetings, activities, volunteering, and everything in between. Truthfully, it feels like everyone I talk to these days is at a loss for one of the single most treasured gifts… TIME.
Teach us to number our days… but why, you might ask?
Well, if we were sitting together we could share our lives’ stories. You might tell me of the recent diagnosis of a family member who has cancer, I might tell you that our baby has outgrown all his 12-month clothes and is cruising around the house like nobody’s business, we might share tears over your favorite uncle that passed away or my best friend who has lost his job and is struggling with depression.
Where did the time go?
Have you ever tarried long enough to consider the profound truth that the Bible is a love letter written just for you! That when we do these things when we pause, read, meditate on His Word, soak in the moments, share life (teach us to number our days) you will find the ANSWER!
My friends, if we plunged its depths, if we allowed our hearts greatest desires to come pouring out and if we were still long enough, we might just feel that wild calling from our very own soul and recognize it as God’s voice. Calling, speaking, guiding, and wooing us towards the only thing that will save us…
I have shared tears of sorrow in final goodbyes and tears of joy at new beginnings; I have seen parents undone as their children graduate, get married, and leave home… I have known newlyweds to believe that life lasts forever and I have known couples separated by death all too soon. Jobs secured and jobs lost. I have seen the lost repent and the sinner return. What I have yet to see is a life buried in the treasures of this world that is overflowing with unspeakable joy.
Teach us to number our days .
God reminds us with His words to slow down… to number our days… to cherish the moments, to build our foundation on solid ground, and to invest our hearts in the things worth investing in.
I know you are busy; we all are. But let me say this with clarity – the only path to joy, the only path to wholeness, to happiness, to salvation, the only path that will allow you to overflow with hope, security, and eternal salvation is the one that is tethered to the LORD. The necessity for making time for that the cup of coffee with your best friend in the morning, going back for that one last kiss, the hug, the five-minute pause to dance in the rain, and joy of a spontaneous meal with a friend, soaking in a moment you will never get back…
On the night Jesus knew he would die… when he could have been a million different places doing a million different things when He knew this would be his last meal, when time was short, and the list was long… Jesus eagerly and intentionally sat down around the table with His disciples, and He went to the garden to pray.
The Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end, the Almighty, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Warrior Prince of Peace, our Savior and Lord in His final moments wanted nothing more than to be with YOU.
Make the time… number your days.