There is a deleted scene from the Star Trek Enterprise third season episode “Similitude” that says:
“If you had five days left, would you spend them sleeping? …Did you know that at one time in history human beings lived an average of only 35 years? The average Vulcan lifespan was only 40? … [Both] species expend a lot of effort to change those statistics. I guess it’s just natural for people to want to stick around for as long as possible.”According to Wikipedia, the life expectancy at birth in the bronze age and iron age was 26 years, and in 2010 was 67 years, with some regions of the world around 80 years. But how well do we use the time we have? If life expectancy were only 40 years, what might we do differently? Would we want to spend 16-20 years getting an education for a relatively short career? Would we spend 40+ hours per week in the office trying to earn enough to pay for the big house, second car, dream vacation, retirement, etc.? Would we invest thousands every month in healthcare and insurance, if it can’t significantly extend our lives?
Those things aren’t necessarily bad if we assume we’re going to live 80 years, but maybe they aren’t the best things. What would you do differently if you knew your time was short? Declutter and simplify your life? Leave work early? Turn off the TV? Spend time with family and friends? Enjoy nature? Make sure you understand the Bible and have a right relationship with God? Share the gospel with those you love?
If we think we have many years ahead, we get lackadaisical about setting priorities. Things don’t matter very much if there’s always tomorrow. There is a benefit to living with a sense of urgency to accomplish things that really matter in whatever time we’re given. Although the early Adventists were mistaken in setting a date for Christ’s return and they ended up looking foolish (twice!), at least they were willing to take a stand for what they said they believed. If you know the end is near, it is perfectly rational to give away all your possessions, warn people of the coming judgment, and say your goodbyes.
Jesus urged readiness in His parables in Luke 12, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (v. 40). He repeated, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (37, 43). It is in this context that Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (v. 48). How often do we consider that length of life is a gift entrusted to us, that we are to invest and not squander our time? Whether our years are 20, 40, or 80, have we done more than just try to stick around as long as possible and build bigger barns for our stuff?
With each new day we have a chance to decide what matters most to us and invest accordingly. How many days are left on the calendar for you, for me, for this world?
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). 
© 2020 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
