So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

For someone who spent 40 long years in the wilderness, Moses’s prayer in Psalm 90 seems ironic at first glance. He appeared to be exceptionally mindful of his brief time on earth. He asked God to help him number his days, which ought to be our daily prayer too.

Most people agree that our time on earth is fleeting. Oh, but how diverse we can be in deciding how we spend this precious time.

How do you spend your time daily? Most young people live with the principles of YOLO. If you have not heard of it before, it means “you only live once”. Therefore, they do their best to experiment and enjoy their lives to the fullest. While most middle-aged people are preoccupied with raising children, earning their keep while working hard at accomplishing their lifestyle goals. Whereas most senior people tend to drift through their daily lives in their twilight years, having retired their sense of purpose and calling altogether upon retirement. Nonetheless, most people from young to old spend hours daily mindlessly scrolling through social media while comparing their lives with the virtual and picture-perfect lives of others.

We are either too busy or too bored. On the one hand, we can be legitimately busy, and sometimes so busy that we end up being controlled by our circumstances. On the other hand, some of us are constantly bored and restless and always hopping on and off evolving trends and entertainment.

Wise people work to redeem the time they have. With wisdom, they invest their time. And through wisdom, they acquire even more. God created us with eternity in our hearts. Every day is an opportunity that God has graciously given us to use wisely and diligently for His glory.

God calls us to live differently. To live as God would have us live, we must rethink how we spend our time. We need to reflect on why we are so busy or bored. What entraps our hearts? How can we be liberated from the busyness and boredom of this world? How can we adjust our schedule and choices to reflect God’s priorities?

How can we use our lives wisely for the glory of God? Apart from fulfilling our daily commitment and responsibilities, we are to set aside time for God, others, and our own needs. Jesus calls us to seek his kingdom and his righteousness first (Matthew 6:33). Jesus calls us to be the good Samaritan who looks out for the welfare of others. We also need time to rest.

Many endeavours are attractive, but few are worth pursuing. Many pursuits are essential, but few truly matters. It takes a discerning and courageous man or woman of God to choose godly pursuits over worldly gains.

We must not forget that we will meet God one day to give an account of our lives to Him. Knowing that should motivate us to use it well for His glory.

C.S. Lewis understood this well: “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”

More than ever before, we need to pray the prayer of Psalm 90 too.