Live well, as time tends to slip by

In the past week, I have been terrified by an 8 1/2-inch by 11-inch piece of paper with the heading: "2015/2016 School Supply List." Honestly, I thought summer break just began, and now I am in the position of getting ready to start another school year.

Where is the summer going?

Do not get me wrong. It has been a great summer, being able to root for both professional ballclubs from Missouri that still continue to shock all by staying in first place in their respective divisions. Hanging out at the swimming pool and even some hiking and time at the lake. Summer, so far, has been fantastic. But where is it going, and why must it go there so quickly?

The Bible tells us in the form of a prayer request from Moses to God: "So teach us to number our days so that we may get a heart of wisdom" (Ps. 90:12). There is so much packed into this verse that calls us to live well in days that have a tendency to slip by.

First, there is a realization this life is limited. Much like the summer that is here and gone, so, too, our shortened years pass too fast. Perhaps one of the reasons we do not seize each and every moment as a precious gift to be used for God's glory is in the back of our minds, we truly believe we always will have another time. There always will be another opportunity. There always will be another week to spend on vacation with your children.

This prayer request reminds and challenges us to live during the short time we have to live. Teach us to number our days, for our days are shorter than we realize and will end sooner than we want.

The second great challenge in this request is actually to do something with our days. Taking action with our days is at the center of gaining a heart of wisdom. Wisdom is not only knowing what needs to be done, but when it needs to be done and how it needs to be accomplished. We receive wisdom to know not only what to do with the limited time we have, but also when to do it.

God desires that we use each and every day for His glory and our good. Seek Him to pursue them.