Life is fleeting, a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. This truth is easy to ignore, especially when we are young and feel as though time stretches endlessly before us. Yet, no matter our age, each of us is given the same 1,440 minutes in a day, the same 168 hours in a week. The average lifespan remains much as Scripture describes—about seventy years. With all our advances, we cannot extend this boundary much further. The sobering reality is that we have only one short life to live, and it will soon be over.
Given this brevity, it is vital to set our priorities and commit ourselves to what truly matters. Procrastination is a thief; the things we know we ought to do—whether it’s spending time with family, giving generously, studying, or sharing our faith—should not be put off. Every tick of the clock is a call to act now, not later. There may not be a tomorrow for us. Time is too short for indecision or wavering between two opinions. Each day, we are given a fresh account of time, and what we do with it is our responsibility. There are no rollovers, no overdrafts; what is lost cannot be regained.
Scripture urges us to redeem the time because the days are evil. The world is in desperate need of the transforming power of the gospel, and the opportunity to share it is now. Jesus Himself modeled this urgency. Though His earthly life was only thirty-three years and ended on the cross, He could say, “I finished the work that thou gave me to do.” It is not the length of our lives that matters, but the quality and dedication with which we live them. The question is not how many years we have left, but whether we will finish the work God has given us.
To do this, we must fill our hearts with the Word of God and walk closely with Him. Those who know the Scriptures and walk with God are empowered to make their time count. Let us recognize the urgency and brevity of life, and invest what little time we have in the kingdom of God.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Life’s brevity demands urgent priorities Life is short, and its fleeting nature should drive us to set clear, godly priorities. We cannot afford to drift or waste our days on trivial pursuits. Instead, we must prayerfully discern what matters most and commit ourselves wholeheartedly, knowing that our time is limited and precious. [00:23]
- 2. Act now—procrastination is a spiritual danger Every day is a fresh opportunity, but none of us is promised tomorrow. Delaying what we know we ought to do—whether it’s loving others, giving, or sharing our faith—can mean missing God’s purpose for our lives. The call is to act now, not later, and to live each day with intentionality and obedience. [01:42]
- 3. Redeem the time in evil days Scripture calls us to “redeem the time” because the days are evil. This means making the most of every opportunity for good, especially in a world that desperately needs the hope of Christ. Our time is a gift to be invested in things of eternal value, not squandered on what will not last. [02:42]
- 4. Quality of life over quantity of years Jesus’ life was not long by human standards, but it was full of purpose and finished work. What matters is not how many years we live, but whether we fulfill God’s calling with dedication and faithfulness. A life lived in obedience and service, no matter its length, is a life well spent. [03:12]
- 5. Fill your heart with God’s Word Those who are rooted in Scripture and walk closely with God are empowered to make their time count. The Word of God equips us for every good work and gives us the wisdom and strength to finish the work God has given us. Let us invest our time in knowing Him and making Him known. [03:39]
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