on the walk

Sep 29 2008

living the dash

Published by Ethan Magness at 11:23 am under one month to live

Here is a link to today’s reading:

We don’t think about death very often. Periodically we are forced to confront the reality of death by painful circumstances, but other than those few times, it is an easy topic to ignore. But there is wisdom that comes from a clear look at death. Just as the psalmist asks, we all need to gain a heart of wisdom as well. If you had one month to live would you change the way you live? Would the recognition of mortality transform your priorities? This month-long challenge is an invitation to seek that wisdom now.

Today’s Challenge:
In the space provided list the top five areas that would change if you had one month to live. Be honest with yourself. Is it time management, relationships or something else? How do you want to be different after this thirty day challenge? Ask God to help you number your days so that you may gain a heart of wisdom.
Textual Reflections:

Psalm 90 arises from a heart that is in touch with two great realities: the surpassing bigness of God and the darkness and fleeting nature of human experience. The psalm begins in priase to God who has been the dwelling place for generations. The psalmists acknowledges that God’s perspective is so different than ours. God sees our whole lives as we see the dust and the grass that blooms and withers every day. (I have been told that this is a real botanical phenomena in some arid aprts of the world such as the ancient near east.)

But the darkness of human existence is not just a consequence of our fleeting existence. There is a relational breach. The psalmist proclaims that human society stands under God’s judgment. Throughout scripture God’s judgment is the name for any action or inaction that God takes in order to set the world right. Sometime God’s people are thrilled for that action. But many times God’s judgment is not pleasant. Sometimes what is needed to set thing right is painful. Our sin has broken the relationship with God and we cannot fix it. God must intervene.

And so after a healthy dose of wisdom about the greatness of God, the fleeting nature of our lives and the dark realities of our sin and the brokeness this has caused, the psalmist turns. In verse 12 he asks for wisdom, and in light of that wisdom he is wise enough to go to God. The psalm ends with a petition. Only God can make our feeble fleeting efforts last. Only God can heal the damage caused by our sin. Only God can bring the dew of the morning to bring new life after the heat of the day.

That is what I want from God. I want wisdom to know that God is greater. I want wisdom to recognize that my time is short and that on my own I am cut off from God by my sin, and that my labor is in vain. And most especially I want to place my trust fully in the renewing mercy of God.

on the walk

-Ethan

Ps. Feel free to use the comments section to discuss that challenge for the day and the text. Let’s all help each other live like we are dying.

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