Time is all you have

"The key question to keep asking is, are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have." - Randy Pausch

Over the last week I have had the chance to do a little reading and I am grateful for the books I have managed to work my way through. One of them was "The Last Lecture" (Randy Pausch), which I decided to re-read as we begin 2024. If you don't know Randy's story, it is work taking a look at his biography. 

In a nutshell, Randy was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in 2006 and given 6 months to live. Suddenly, everything in his life became extremely focused - he wanted to make the most of his time left on earth and was left with some critical decisions to make. One of those was that he decided to give a series of lectures, that would be part of his legacy for his family and community. If you get to read his book, you will find it is surprisingly uplifting and very moving. 

The quote that I was drawn too (see above) fits in nicely with the verse from Psalm 90, which speaks of the same thing. 

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - v.12.

What does this say to you about your decisions for the new year?

Living in Grace

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A humbling reminder

As we read deeper into Psalm 90, we note how Moses comes to the clear understanding of his own mortality. And as he does this, he naturally compares this with God's immortality. In an age, where millions of people are obsessed with making a name for themselves, we all need to humbly remember that God is the only one who has the power of life and death. 

"You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered." - Psalm 90

I read an interesting story that highlights this same point: 

"Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and king of Macedon, was always accompanied by two men who had a very interesting duty. One man was to say to him each morning, "Philip, remember that you are but a man," while the second asked the king each evening, "Philip, have you remembered that you are but a man?" - Today in the Word, March 30, 1993.

Living in Grace

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Our Home

Psalm 90:1 – “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home…”

When Moses wrote these words, he remembered how through everything that he had been through, God had been their help and refuge. 

We all seek our homes to be places of safety and a haven from the outside world - they offer comfort and rest, a place to be vulnerable and a safe space where we can be ourselves. Although our human 'homes' offer us a glimpse of the perfect home, we know that one day we will be able to rest in the presence of the Lord. 

God will be our true Home.

Psalm 23:6 - Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

Living in Grace

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Do your part

"He who governed the world before I was born shall take care of it likewise when I am dead. My part is to improve the present moment." – John Wesley

I like this sentiment from John Wesley. It reminds me of two crucial things:

 1.       God was involved in the things of this world long before I was born, and God will continue to be involved long after I have gone. I should let him do his work and stop worrying so much. 

2.       We have an important part to play in this world, even if it is only for a brief moment in time. We can love God, love others and seek to make the world a better place.

Psalm 90:1-2

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Living in Grace

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Learning the hard way

·        

Psalm 90:10-12

Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
¹¹ If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
¹² Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Sometimes we just don't learn to 'number our days' aright. It takes the sudden death of a close friend or family member to jolt us back to our senses. May we all comprehend how fragile our lives are and what they are from Jesus.

Living in Grace

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Surprised at daybreak

"....Surprise us with love at daybreak;
    then we’ll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
    we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you’re best at—
    the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
    confirming the work that we do.
    Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!" - Psalm 90 (Message)

Next time you see the sunrise, let it remind you of this verse. May we all be surprised by God's love every 'daybreak'. May God's love REST ON US.

Living in Grace
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May the beauty of the Lord rest upon you

If you want to encourage and bless someone today, why don't you forward them this awesome verse from Psalm 90:17. I am attaching it in this post, from a few different versions. May it be a blessing to you and others today.

"May the favour ^(beauty) of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—    yes, establish the work of our hands." - (NIV)

"And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!" (NLT)

"Lord our God, treat us well.
    Give us success in what we do;    yes, give us success in what we do." - (NJKV)

That is my prayer for you today. Go with God.

Living in Grace
D3LM3