“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  (ESV – read the chapter)

One of the things that best helps people put life and the things that are in it in the proper perspective is being near the end of it.  When someone receives a terminal diagnosis, all of a sudden life rushes into this incredible clarity.  He is able to recognize which things are most important and which are not, and he orders them properly.  

Consider Tim McGraw’s country hit, “Live Like You Were Dying.”  It’s about a man who gets this very kind of diagnosis and totally changes his priorities.  The lyrics of the bridge go like this:

Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity
To think about
What you’d do with it
What could you do with it?
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?

When we understand the number of our days, wisdom is something that comes almost naturally.  McGraw’s invitation, the psalmist’s prayer here, and what should be ours as well is for God to grant this understanding without the terminal diagnosis.

Lord teach us to number our days so we can learn to value things in the proper amounts.  Give us an understanding of how precious and fleeting life is so that we seek the right things in the right order.  Help us realize just how short life is so that we set our priorities properly.  Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.