Goal Setting in Light of the Brevity of Our Lives

There is wisdom to be found when we realize that our life is really very brief. For many people, this wisdom isn’t found until it is too late; when they are approaching the end of their days and looking back at what they wish they had done with their limited time. You might be surprised to know the number one regret of those with terminal illnesses in the last weeks of their lives. You might expect it to be “working too much” which is actually number two. The number one regret is not having the courage to live true to themselves instead of how they were expected to live. 

I believe each of us is given the gift of life for a reason. We are each created with unique talents and passions meant to be used for a purpose that will glorify God and bring us great joy and fulfillment as well. But it can be somewhat terrifying to muster the courage to be true to ourselves, particularly when other people whom we love and respect question the validity of our calling. So often times we wait, we bid our time, we do what is expected of us, and figure there will always be time for our crazy passion later. But who really knows how much time we have left? And no matter how much time we have left, there is never enough time to make up for wasting one precious moment being anything other than who we were created to be. 

Moses prays in Psalm 90:12,

"So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." (NASB)

This verse was written during the time the Israelites were wandering in the desert and they had been told that their bodies would fall in the wilderness and not see the promised land because of their lack of faith. Just like people today in the last weeks of their lives, they knew the end was coming and Moses wanted them to live in the light of the limited time they had left.  

 

Moses completes his prayer with a plea for God's favor so that their earthly efforts would not be in vain;

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands, Yes, confirm the work of our hands" (Ps. 90:17). 

When we realize the brevity of life, we focus on the things that matter most, we seek out what makes it meaningful, and we are forced to see a bigger picture than just our own short life. When our thoughts and actions shift from ourselves to eternity, as they might when we realize the brevity of our life, wisdom develops in us. I can't help but see the wisdom contained just in the organization of Psalm 90.

The psalm is organized into 4 parts:
vs. 1-2 comfort in our place in God
vs. 3-6 humility before God
vs. 7-11 submission to God's will
vs. 12-17 prayer for mercy, grace, and favor

I believe wisdom is found in recognizing who God is, recognizing who we are in light of who God is, submitting ourselves to God's will, and praying for mercy, grace and favor. 

So what is on your heart this year?

What matters most in light of who God is, who He made you to be, and the calling He has given you?

Will spend your time wisely and cultivate the courage to be true to yourself this year?