TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS.

BY: Tosin Babalola

 

So I finally removed the three – month calendar which I had taped somewhere underneath my computer keyboard at the office. With that small sheet of paper in my hand, I began to wonder if I had truly made the best of each day that passed in

the last three months. I am yet grateful for one thing – I had learnt to number my days right from the start.

Ok, so you are wondering what I am talking about. I got a contract job about three months ago to serve in the office of a secretary who had gone on Maternity leave. As much as there wasn’t much work to do, I realized that if I do not number my days, the three months would be gone and I probably won’t have anything to show for it.

As human beings, I have observed that one thing which we hate to do is to count days or to keep dates. As a single lady, how many times have you tried to keep a track record of your menstrual cycle and you failed? When the Doctor asked you the accurate start-date of your last period, did you give a definite instantaneous answer? Let me guess………… you could not even remember if you had menstruated that month or yet to do so. 

We tend to forget dates very often and we really can’t say why we keep forgetting but one thing we sure don’t forget to say is……..”Oh, how time flies.” You heard some few days ago that it was 44 days to the end of the year 2012 and you made up your mind to continue the countdown. If I may ask: how many more days do we have to the end of the year? ......... I bet only your calendar will save you right now. Why?  Because you have stopped counting.

It takes a deliberate effort to set goals, targets and deadlines, but it takes dedication and discipline to count/number days. Why do we need to number our days? We need to number our days so that we can put our resources and time to proper use. Until we realize that each day is a priceless gift from God we are not likely to keep getting the best out of each passing day. We must number our days because we shall surely die someday. A lot of people do not like to talk about the subject of death but this is reality. The writer in Psalm 90:12 says; teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise (So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. KJV).

Imagine if your entire life time was presented to you in a calendar or if it was set in a countdown-timer, I bet u would do your best to maximize every passing second in each day.

Numbering our days is an attitude we must learn from God by His word. He tells us to -Be careful then how we live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:15); not to get involved in shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are all alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks (Eph 5:4); to be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 3:15).

Until we begin to count our days by the Word of God, we will not realize that they just might be wasting away. This will involve taking stock. We are encouraged to keep examining ourselves (2 Cor 13:5); to Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations (Prov 27:23-24). How much of the goals that you set have you achieved within a defined space of time? How often do you sow in the spirit than you do in the flesh?

If we begin to number our days, wisdom will undoubtedly fall in line. It will trail our path and we will be different from the other people. Live each day/year like you have seen the end of it, then walk toward that end which you see with the time that you have. Count each day and make it count.

- tosin Babalola