When we treat something like it will always be there we tend to grow apathetic and entitled, which generally results in mismanagement. When we realize the finite nature of a substance we begin to get more serious about the best use of it, after all, we reason, "it won’t be around long."
As it pertains to time, when we realize it is our most valuable non-renewable resource, we are encouraged to better steward it. Realizing life is short and that we don’t, “get time back,” helps us be more intentional about using it well the first go round. Life experience has made this a serious personal pursuit for my family. My wife and I periodically ask four inventory questions in view of time. The answers help us in our efforts to continually recalibrate so we may “invest" instead of “waste" our lives.
What does God value? We are ultimately here for His glory and find answers from Him in His Word. How did Christ invest His life on earth? We live to complete His mission and have His example on display in the gospels. Do my actions align with my beliefs? We need occasional "gut checks" to make sure our values are well formed and our behavior aligned. What needs to change? We commit to adjust resource allocation for the next period of time in light of gaps or strengths we have uncovered.
When we lay these questions over our home, work, civic and church roles we set ourselves up to maximize what are ultimately short periods of time. After all we can’t really change the fact that “life is but a vapor.” We can however choose to live Short But Smart lives.
Psalms 90:12 “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
- Micah McElveen