On Saturday morning, June 11, I decided to trim a holly in front of our house. It had gotten too tall. I wanted to shorten it significantly so it would be easier to trim in the future.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I engaged in an ill-conceived strategy to reach the top of the holly that included non-sanctioned supporting equipment. (OSHA would have been appalled!) Suffice it to say that it included a bucket turned upside-down and other sundry items.
The instant I fell, I knew that this would not be my finest hour. Every breath was a struggle. A trip to the emergency room let me know that I cracked/broke (is there a difference?) four ribs and two vertebrae. My movements over the next couple of weeks were curtailed, to say the least.
Thanks to all who went to the emergency room, brought meals, did shopping, gave rides, filled in at the church, checked on us, and most of all, prayed for God’s mercy and healing. Church family made a difficult time so much easier.
I’m sorry for taking an unnecessary and foolish risk, but I’m grateful for the grace and mercy of God, demonstrated through the love and concern of brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh, and I’m so grateful to God that he made our bodies so that they heal!
Accidents and illnesses are reminders of how fragile life is. Things can change in an instant. The world says, “Your days are numbered!” That’s certainly true, but it sounds so negative. In fact, it sounds a bit like a threat.
The Bible, on the other hand, says, “Teach us to number our days aright” (Psalm 90:12, NIV). This is no threat. It is good advice. It is wisdom from God’s word.
We know that God has blessed us with a certain number of days in this world. He urges us to be aware of how precious time is and to be fruitful in spending it. This includes healthy balances of work and rest, productivity and pleasure, family and friends, worship and service, being in the church and being in the world (but not of the world), staying home and getting out, and so forth.
Jesus told his disciples, “We must do the works of the One who sent me while it is day; night comes when nobody is able to work” (John 9:4). The word “day” in Jesus’ saying signifies the time of opportunity. “Night” symbolizes the time when opportunities are past.
Jesus said that we must do the works of the One who sent him, that is, the works of God. The Lord holds out opportunities to each of us to participate in his great kingdom work in this age. These are opportunities to number our days aright, to use our time in a fruitful manner.
Every day that we can get up and go is a gift from God. He is inviting us to be fruitful and to enjoy a harvest from the work he gives us to do. Know your calling and pursue it with wisdom and passion.
May the Lord enable us to go and do, for him and for his glory,
Brother Richard
brotherrichardsblog.com 