“Teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom”
Psalm 90:12

Another New Year… where did the time go? Wasn’t it just a couple of weeks ago when that last January rolled around? Didn’t the New England Patriots fail to go undefeated by losing in the Super Bowl just moments ago? Does it not seem like all the presidential campaigning just got started? (Well, no, that certainly went on for a very, very long time–I’m glad it’s finally over).

Time certainly flies, regardless of whether or not you’re having fun. And with each page turn of the calendar, it only seems to go by more and more quickly. I’m sure this new series will go by fast as well, but hopefully, it will give us insight into how we can take care of the business at hand and be good stewards of the time we’ve been given. Since I’m really pressed for time today, let’s just jump right into the table questions.

1. Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution? How did it go?
One guy at our table said he makes them all the time, rather than once a year as a means of goal-setting. The consensus at our table was that no New Year’s Resolutions are ever made, and most of us hadn’t seen the other side of midnight on January 1 in quite some time. I guess you could say the only New Year’s Resolution we make is not to make any. Call us fuddy duddies if you will.

2. Do you ever count your days? When?
Some did, some didn’t. Mostly, our remaining days are really only considered on milestones, such as the 30th, 40th or 50th birthday–especially when you reach those half-way points of your family’s typical life expectancy. When we start wearing all the gold chains, buy the sports car and look into hair replacement you’ll know that we’ve REALLY started counting our days.

Interestingly enough, there are several life expectancy calculators out there that will give you an estimate for how much longer you have left to live. You can access one here: http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp

And just for the record, I have 49 more years left…

3. How does counting your days help make things make sense?
We talked about how it gives you an eternal perspective of life. When you look at things through that lens, you realize that your life here on this earth is limited, and that your life is part of a larger story going on. You understand that all things work according to God’s timeline, not yours. When you try to make life adjust to your schedule, it can be quite frustrating because it rarely ever cooperates. That’s why timing is best left to heavenly hands.

4. Read the verse out loud. Why do you think Moses asked God to help his people number their days?
To make us wise in how we should live. To not procrastinate. To make the most of every moment. To make every second of every day count for something.

5. What benefit do you receive from numbering your days? Why is this important?
You understand that tomorrow is not guaranteed. It makes you consider what you would do differently. One guy mentioned that if you were told you had X number of days left to live, would you be satisfied with how you’d spent your time? Would you do anything different with how you’re living? He followed his response by sharing how he recently went to a funeral of a man where person after person shared about this man’s life, his spiritual accomplishments, his impact for the Kingdom, how each day he lived for God.

That’s why it’s important to keep your days numbered. To gain a heart of a wisdom, to consider each new day a gift, and live each moment for the Lord.

We’ve only got two more days until the next UNC… see you then and there.

Psalm 90 is a prayer.   

It’s the prayer of a man whose time is draining,  a man whose thoughts are flowing toward God.  God, and the brevity of man’s days. 

Moses is the man who prayed this prayer.  This same Moses through whom God parted the Sea, reached in his finale for God with this request:

“Teach us to number our days…”  Moses prayed.

Numbering your days places them within their proper context.  We once inhaled our first and we’ll finally exhale our last breath. Everything between these bookends is our days.

Our days have a number to them.  A finite number.  A number that runs out and a number that is smaller this morning than last it was last week. 

Think about it.

“I’d rather not…”

I know.  Me either.  

Why would you want to number your days when ESPN is running a Super Bowl special?

I’d rather amuse myself to distraction…

      … or work myself to diversion

           … or ignore myself ’til expiration

This is the exactly the reason Moses petitioned God, because we’d rather not.  Rathering not gives us leave to revel inside today without consideration to consequence.   

When we number our days, however, our thoughts race to their final end.  There, at that place where we look backward into our days, today takes on a greater urgency to get it right, to invest in things important.  There… Sportszone just might not make the cut.

Numbering your days essentially leads you to understand how things fit together; how things fit inside your days and how your days fit into eternity.  

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Most of us have already waived goodbye to our New Year’s resolutions.  They came and left with the holiday guests, disappearing from view with our good intentions stuffed in the trunk.  

“Bye…  see you next year…” 

The problem with “I resolve” is that it begins with me.  That’s the same place I started last year.  You know how it is:

You read the book, joined the group, attended the conference, heard the sermon and bought the t-shirt…  and nothing changed.  

Oh, you’ve picked up some phrases and created some categories.  But now the calendar has flipped and you’re the same guy.  You’re still churning on the inside and scrambling for something new.  Something that will scratch that itch in your soul for a God you can’t see.

“This year’s going to be different!  I’m going to get a new group, and do a new thing, and…”

STOP!

Just Stop….

Walking with God is not about categories and cliches.  It’s not about finding your niche or staking your turf.  

It’s about letting go…  

If you’re having trouble letting go of your power phrases then maybe this one will help:

“If you really want to begin anew, then stop striving after something to do.”

Just…  be.

Be that man God intended when He created you.

Be the sum of your story inside the path God has marked.

Be a man who seeks God’s face.

“Be still…”

…and know that He is.

Are you striving with men or are you walking with God?  

Pursuit… connects your passion to the picture in your mind of how things ought to be.  

It’s also the proving ground where God sifts the motives of men.

Somewhere in your center there stirs a holy discontent, an agitation in your spirit towards another day.  

A better day.

A day more like the picture.

Pay attention to the passion in your center and the picture in your head.  God paints these into the stories of men to conform them to His likeness.  

Pay attention also to the pursuit - that method by which you move. 

Inevitably, temptation will drive you to another script and you will have a choice:  you can strive with men or you can walk with God.

If you choose the former, the passion which burned so hot will cool and the picture that once pulled you will shrink to a  size you can manage.  

May this never be!

The passion and the picture you hold belong to God.  He has entrusted these to you.

To shepherd, not to rule.

To steward, not to own.

The opportunities before you are either divine enticements to know God better…  or they are hellish invitations to serve another god.

Depending how you walk.

“Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”

Offer the picture back to God.

Harness your passion with humilty.  

Lest that picture prove a mirage and the opportunity pass to another.