PAY ATTENTION

                                                             Psalms 90:12 (NIV)

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

               The watch word for today seems to be live for the moment. As a society we have placed much emphasis on living in the present, without much thought for the future. Living for the moment may enhance a person’s experience, but it also may bring unintended consequences. Living for the moment is not always the wise thing to do. How often have we heard the excuse, “we were just having fun”, after some unfortunate or destructive thing has happened.

               In my devotions today, I read the above verse from Psalm 90. I have read it many times, but it struck a chord this morning. The Psalmist is challenging us to look at life from the proper perspective. Living for the moment may be “fun”, but is it wise? There is more to life than this moment, this experience.

               I was reminded also this morning about leaving a positive legacy for those who follow us. In order to do that, a person must think in terms of the long haul, not the short run. A true legacy is built over time, one piece at a time. It is not built all at once. It takes intentionality and a vision for the future. At the end of our lives, do we want it said about us that we had fun or that we made a difference? I would prefer the latter.

               The Psalmist tells us to pay attention to our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Wisdom is something sorely lacking today. True is wisdom is not rash. It does not vary from moment to moment. It is not shaken by temporary set-backs. True wisdom has endurance. It wears well over time.

               Ther book of Proverbs is all about gaining a heart of wisdom. Solomon contrasts wisdom with folly. Wisdom brings genuine benefits over time. Folly offers a momentary thrill at the expense of the future. It seems like that is the world we live in today.

               The person who is wise looks beyond the immediate to what is yet to come. They adjust their actions to position themselves well for the future. I have been watching the Olympics this week. Last night we watched some cross-country skiing. The commentators noted that athletes that started out too fast ran the risk of running out of gas later in the race. It is a lesson any one who have run distance has had to learn. Pacing is important. You cannot sprint through a marathon. Life is the ultimate marathon. We can burn up all of our energy early or we can wisely pace ourselves for the long haul.

               Ultimately, wisdom comes from aligning our life with God’s purposes. The wise person has learned to listen to what God has said in His Word. James addresses this in his letter. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)

               Part of being wise is listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. When a person puts their faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in their life. He is there to be a person’s guide through life. As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure, He assured them that they would not face the journey ahead alone. Instead, He promised them the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:12-13 (NIV)

               The role of the Spirit is to shape our lives to conform to the image of Christ. He replaces folly with wisdom. But we have to consciously follow His lead. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)

               The Psalmist calls us to pay attention. How we live our daily lives matters, not just for the moment, but for eternity. Paul challenges us to be very careful how we live. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:15-18 (NIV)

               There doesn’t seem to be a lot of wisdom today. We are enthralled with innovation and everything new. We discount the wisdom of the past as old fashioned and out of date. Yet, already we are discovering some of the unintended consequences of failing to consider where we are headed. It is time to stop and “number our days aright.”

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.