In 2004, country music artist Tim McGraw released a song that would land him a Grammy and go on to become the number one country song of the year. “Live Like You Were Dying” had crossover appeal, its inspiring message a dare to live life to the full. Sung from the point of view of a patient who had just received a terminal diagnosis, it was essentially a bucket list of things to do when you realize your days are numbered, a kind of reality check that jerks you into writing a better story for yourself by becoming the sort of human you always wanted to be, right now. Because, in the case of the song, time was of the essence.
Friends, I’m here to tell you time is of the essence. We need to be right-now-living people… right now. From birth the reality is our days are numbered. So, what are we to do with that?
A few years ago, (in)courage featured Jean Fleming’s Pursue the Intentional Life for our book club. Formative, insightful, profound, and practical, this book impacted me personally and deeply. Maybe it was the kindred spirit I found in Jean, or maybe it was the way she articulated what it looks like to live with careful intention. She introduced sobering thoughts and ideas at times: “… every year I pass – unheralded – the anniversary of my death.” Mercy, that one blew my mind. Overall, much of the book gave me pause and reason to consider how I was spending my most precious currency: time.
Before I had kids, I had one of the greatest jobs on the planet: marketing director for a retirement community. I was young – so young, in hindsight – but I was wise enough to recognize I had much to glean from the wisdom of our residents. One thing I observed then and believe even more strongly now is this: The older you get, the more you become who you already are. Nice people seemed to get nicer, grouchy people managed to get grouchier.
I purposed in my heart then, even as a 20-something, that I wanted to grow older with grace, to be careful about who I was becoming, and to set an on-purpose target of kind disposition. Perhaps this was why Jean’s book meant so much to me. It was a toolkit of sorts for “becoming.”
Scripture tells us we reap what we sow. I long to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This passage in Galatians begins by telling us how to sow this sort of fruit: Walk by the Spirit. Often I find spiritual principles are incredibly simple but paradoxically complex.
***
Today is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, a solemn day observed in Christendom, the commemoration of the Last Supper. It is when Jesus, in an act of astonishing humility, washed His disciples’ feet. It is when He shared His last Passover meal with them and when He extended a new commandment:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)
On the eve of His physical death as a man, Jesus’ actions speak as loudly as His words. He knew what was to come. With limited time left with the people He loved most, everything He said, everything He did, was significant. We understand this better when we ask ourselves one question: If we knew this was our last day on earth, how would we spend our time? If, like in McGraw’s song, we found out we were facing a terminal diagnosis, how would our day-to-day choices change?
I know I’d want to be current with the people I love most. I’m sure there would be a sense of urgency and laser intention about how I’d spend my time. I’d sift every opportunity through fine mesh to be certain every “yes” was worth it. I’d pray as the Psalmist prayed, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Tomorrow is not only Good Friday but also my birthday, and this is my earnest prayer:
Lord, thank You for this sweet gift of life and for inviting us into Your Kingdom as daughters You love. Thank You for Your unimaginable gift of Your life for ours, Your love, forgiveness, peace, and joy. Please teach us to number our days that we might gain a heart of wisdom. Open our hearts to love others the way You love all Your children: fully and completely, without condition, sacrificially and unexpectedly, and always in a way that gives honor and glory to God the Father. Jesus, teach us what it means to walk by the Spirit that we might bear good fruit with eternal value. Amen.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Robin,
What a beautiful prayer to offer up on your birthday (Happy Birthday by the way!). I like to look at what Christ did as one of His last acts on earth….He took up the cloak of humility and washed His disciples’ feet. He served them. I certainly haven’t arrived, but as I grow older I have begun to really embrace that it’s not all about me. The more I do that, the more I am able to give of my time and my attention. The more God becomes #1, others become #2, and I am third, life has new meaning. I find that when I live my days like this, things tend to go better and there is a “joie de vivre” – a joy in living. Praying that I will look at what Christ did for me this weekend and pick up His cloak of humility where He left off….wonderful post!
May you have a joyous Easter (and Birthday, Robin),
Blessings,
Bev xx
Robin Dance says
Bev,
I just finished a post on aging and the byproducts of it; what you said about as you grow older and realizing it’s not all about me?? I understand from the inside out.
It is such a joy to see God at work, isn’t it? xoxo
Michele Morin says
Praying along with you, Robin. Thanks for giving words to all those thoughts, and wishing you a Happy Good Friday Birthday!
Blessings to you!
Robin Dance says
Amen, sister! I love the idea of “us” praying this TOGETHER <3.
Sadie says
Robin Dance is such a lovely happy name and I believe it matches your life to a T! God is certainly glorified by what you’ve done to serve Him as He serves us… and as we’ve been taught to number our days and seek a heart of wisdom….I will do just that today. I needed a reminder, perfect timing.. live like I’m dying ? I am going to play that song today:) happy birthday and blessings on this beautiful resurrection Sunday \0/
Robin Dance says
Sadie,
Your words made me smile :). Thank you for spending a little time at incourage with us today. I think I’ll play the song, too, to “remember.” Happy Easter to you!
Shanice says
Happy Birthday! Thank you for this post! I pray I learn to live like every day is my last.
Robin Dance says
Shanice,
I wonder how different our lives would be if we could actually live like that…. (and TY for the bday greeting 🙂 )
Beth Werner Lee says
I remember reading the book, but I hadn’t heard the song before: https://youtu.be/_9TShlMkQnc
Thanks for this beautiful message, Robin.
Robin Dance says
Beth,
The books is unforgettable… the song? Not quite as powerful, but an important message.
Penny says
Robin,
Thank-you for sharing your beautifully put together words. Amen to your thoughtful prayer.
I hope you have an amazing, joyful BD, and Easter.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Robin Dance says
Penny,
Oh, SO many reasons to celebrate! Thank you for praying alongside me; that brings a double blessing. xo
Carol says
A beautiful Psalm, I try to keep in mind every day. Time grows shorter as we grow older. Godly wisdom is a precious gift.
Robin Dance says
Indeed, Carol….
Barbara says
Just what I needed to hear today. To slow down and savor the moment with Jesus. Thank you for reminding me to be intentional. I have been searching for this missing piece of my puzzle, for months. Thank you for opening my heart and mind by your faithful words! Jean’s words are definitely sobering and a great reminder we are finite but He is not. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Robin Dance says
Barbara,
Your words are a sweet gift to me today; in surrendering my pen to the Lord, my heart’s cry is to bless Him and encourage those who read. Thank you for taking time to comment and share your heart.
Tammy Gonzalez says
Thank you for this reminder to make wise choices in how we order our daily steps. I truly needed this reality check!! Blessings to you, Robin—and happy birthday!
Robin Dance says
Tammy,
I think most of us need a timely reminder (this preaches back to me today, though I wrote it a while back) :).
Lynn D. Morrissey says
I’m older than you, Robin, and I think about this a lot. I loved Fleming’s book (and all of her books!), and had pulled it out to read. I think Memento Mori would have also been a good title for your post. When we remember we are going to die, it’s then that we are really prepared to live. I recall when, not long after I’d turned forty, I left a full-time career to raise our baby daughter, but God gave me a part-time job at a church before I came home full time. For three years I worked as their Director of Christian Education. During my tenure there, the women’s group asked me to give a luncheon talk on death. Honestly, it seemed really morbid, and I didn’t know exactly what I was going to say to them. They were all in their seventies and eighties, and I felt it was maudlin to remind them they were (likely) about to die! But as I researched the topic and got to know them better, I realized that my talk was a great comfort to them, because they were prepared to die and actually looked forward to it. They remembered that death would be their entrance to life with Jesus, face to face. They taught me a lot. Your post saddens me in some ways because I feel I have wasted a lot of time since then, and also because there is a huge riff in our family that I am trying to mend, but not receiving the cooperation necessary to bridge the split. Reconciliation is a two-way street. But your post also is joyful because it is a wake-up call. And as long as God has given us the breath of life, there is still time to do His will. Thank you for this beautiful sharing during Holy Week and for this call to extend the love, care, and humility of Christ. What a beautiful day to have a birthday, by the way. It’s not incongruent to be happy on Good Friday, knowing that by His death we are born into new life eternally. I wish you a time both of sobering remembering, but also celebrating you, whom He loves so much! Thank you for sharing.
Love
Lynn
Robin Dance says
Lynn,
Your words gave me chills; thank you for sharing such deep thought. You have me pondering the gateway of death as entrance to LIFE.
I understand your anguish over any wasted time; I feel that way when I fritter away a moment. I cannot change the past, but I CAN affect my future; so I pray for the discipline to steward time well… Today is a new day :).
I am praying over this disunity in your family; yes, it’s a two-way street but you can only control your actions (not the response of others). I know you know this, but I want to encourage you to keep doing what you know the Lord desires of you, and for that to be your enough. Anything else is greater blessing. xoxo
Lynn D. Morrissey says
Robin, this is so generous and kind of you. Thank you beyond words. I love that you remind me that each day is a new day with God–an encouraging and important truth. And thank you especially for your prayers today over this family situation and reminder to do what I can do and rest in the Lord. I must trust Him to do the rest. Thank you so very much, and Happy Easter!
Lynn
Beth Williams says
Lynn,
Praying for the disunity in family. May God bring peace & comfort to your soul knowing you have done all you can. I pray God will change the hearts of others involved.
(((((Hugs)))) Have a blessed Easter!
Lynn D. Morrissey says
That is so very kind of you, Beth. Thank you so much. I can feel that hug, love, and encouragement all the way through cyberspace. My reaction in my situation is to keep trying to do more, and I have repeatedly tried to reach out. I must leave this with the Lord, trusting Him to change hearts. Bless you for yourself reaching out to me, and may you have a joyous Easter!
Fondly
Lynn
Barbara says
Happy Birthday! Tomorrow is our 43rd wedding anniversary as well; it was Easter Sunday 43 years ago when the Lord led my hubby and me to the altar. Your post was sobering and much food for thought in light of having recently lost a beautiful friend, 85 years young, who was such a servant of the Lord’s. She lived her life as a blessing to others. Your post and her life have brought a new perspective for me. Thank you!
Robin Dance says
Happy anniversary, Barbara! 43 is something to celebrate!! How precious to have wed on Easter Sunday. My sympathies for your personal loss of this precious friend, and praise to God for Whose she is! She is living in fullness and life, beyond what we can imagine this side of heaven.
xo
Priscilla says
Loved your post and so timely! 🙂 I ordered the book you mentioned and look forward to reading it! Thanks so much!
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
Life is a sweet gift and thank you for reminding us to fully embrace it all our days!
Happy Birthday!
Pearl Allard says
Robin, I loved how you said we become more of who we already are. Very true. Another song that reminds me of the truth to live and love urgently and intentionally is I Lived by One Republic. Not a Christian song, per se, but the spiritual parallels are what I love about it.
Rebecca Jones says
How wonderful you get to be who you are as you get older. People often excuse sickness or disability as a reason for meanness. What a good idea, but maybe instead of living like you were dying, what about living because He died, and tasted death for us? We can have abundant life only because of that. Nothing will ever be as satisfying.
Beth Williams says
Robin,
Today is the anniversary of my parents first date. Mom was church secretary & invited dad to a Maunday Thursday service. I had never heard that song before. I have wasted quite a bit of time in my life. As I age I don’t fear death as many do. Being a born again Christian I know death is entry way into a life with Jesus & no more suffering. A good song on that topic is “Going Away Party” by Jeff & Sherri Easter. We should all try our best to live each moment in light of eternity. Back in 2015 I quit a good full-time job to stay home & care give for my aging dad. I vowed that I would do more ministry work. Now I serve as secretary for our ladies class, help with junior church, cook & help serve at Feed the Multitude, cook for others when in hospital or ill. I find it all enjoyable. Trying to live my life in such a way that others can see Jesus through me. Using my actions as a testimony.
Have a blessed Easter–Happy Birthday!!!
🙂 blessings