7 DAYS!

           So teach us to number our days,       
                That we may present to You
                    a heart of wisdom. 
                                                              Psalm 90:12

About two weeks ago, I posted a question on Face Book, in this blog and and to various friends as I was planning to study very closely what Jesus did in the last seven days of His ministry time as a man from Galilee.

I was and am still amazed at all that happened for Jesus in JUST 7 DAYS (and that is not even getting to the last supper, time in the garden to the cross, to the grave and overcoming death) all the teaching and people Jesus connected with before those events.

So the questions I posed was this:

If you discovered today,
 that you would only have 7 days days left on earth and could intentionally DO ANYTHING to fill those days that you chose, what would your top three priorities be?

  

I love the dog's caption, "the time is there, it is how you use it that counts!"

No one wanted to answer right away.

This is obviously something we all need to think about.

But then the answers starting flowing

and flowing.

Some folks wrote me several hundred words on what their week would look like!

In the end over 30 people responded.

of course this is not scientific at all.

But I feel that it is helpful to each person who responded.

So for those of us who want to want to know....

here goes!

Of the thirty respondents

ALL SAID that they spend much time with family and those they loved!  I particularly liked the folks that said they would go to their special places and invite all to come ( an mountain cabin for one, a house on the beach for another.)

(JESUS DID THIS IN HIS LAST SEVEN DAYS AS WELL)

Many mentioned working things that I would label legacy, writing letters, making videos to share love and prayers with those who will remain.

(JESUS DID THIS AS HE SPOKE AND SHARED and what did he say at the last supper - Luke 22:19 "this do in remembrance of me")

Only one person actually said what I feel is the most important thing here
 - and yes this did occur to me as well.
 To spent some deep heart to heart time with GOD
and see if there are any forgiveness, confessions or affirmations that GOD wants us to tackle before we move on the be with HIM always.

(YOU SEE JESUS DID THIS TOO!)

A couple of people put things on the list that actually amused me.  

Travels to places they had not yet been,

 one responded they would try skydiving!
  (Now actually this probably makes sense - if you wait til the 7th day to do this and it doesn't go well, no worries, right?)

 One, who I respect as such a great dad, commented that he would bake pies with his kids each night to make those incredible memories together.  

Another friend who loves the outdoors and horses would go riding to just appreciate all that is here and now as she anticipates what is to come.

Anyway - you can see that there are lot of ways to number our days!

Why did I do this?

I think that we need to do more than MARK OUR TIME.  Earth is not a giant waiting area as we hope for heaven.

We are on a journey of FAITH, and we need to be intentional about the things we are doing on this journey.

I pray that we all can follow the inspiration of JESUS
and we can

ADOPT HIS ATTITUDES OF LIFE and DEATH

BE DELIBERATE IN OUR DAILY ACTIONS and CHOICES

THAT WE WOULD SEEK TO PLEASE GOD in all WE DO!

and

WE WOULD TRY TO MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT for HIS SAKE!

I agree with the many commentators that state the Psalm above show us GOD has numbered our days

A) because He is God and He knows all things

and

B) because by numbering our days, they become important

and perhaps most importantly

C) the more we die to ourselves and face our own mortality in the flesh (SEE the APOSTLE PAUL)
the more we can truly and freely live in our spirits of a CHILD OF GOD!

EVERY DAY IS ONE THAT GOD CALLS YOU TO LIVE FOR HIM!

JESUS KNEW THIS -

some days are big deals

other days are quiet and simple

But all can be lived for GOD!

So that's it!

SEVEN DAYS -

None of us know when our last seven days on earth will be, so it might be wise to tackle some of these tasks and have them in the ready.

Tell those you love, how you love them.

If there are fences to mend, do your part to mend them, and then you can have peace, even if the other party doesn't receive it.

If you have a "bucket list" (things you would like to do before you kick that old bucket"
Make plans to DO IT!  If you don't have a bucket list - make one!  and then DO IT!

Write those letters and have them in a place that they will bless if they would come to be found.

And now - for _____________. 

What have you seen happening in your connection with them as you have prayed and reached out to them?

What changes are you feeling in your heart as you have adopted them for this Lenten Journey?

Do you feel called to keep praying for them after Easter?

I will have a testimony to share about my ___________next week.

I can't believe all that God has done, I had no idea why __________ was the one God put on my heart, but looking back at the events that have transpired.  GOD HAD A PLAN!

I would be eager to hear if others have stories about _______________ as well.

But that is quite enough for today!

Let's PRAY!

Lord it still is so hard to look at death - in our Christian walk we are picturing that Garden tomb.  It may be new, it may be in a pleasing place, but it is still a tomb.  We thank you for that work of CHRIST CARRYING OUR SINS, GOING TO THE DEPTHS AND CONQUERING DEATH. 

Fill our hearts with anticipation for the early morning discovery - of the EMPTY TOMB and the knowing that OUR REDEEMER LIVES.   LORD GUIDE us and bless ___________ on this day - an "numbered" day that YOU have given us to love and care for each other, AMEN!