I must use life well, because every moment of it is so precious. The minutes and hours of life are like the gold-dust which the goldsmith so carefully gathers together that none is lost.
“I have lost a day!” was the sorrowful lament of one who had learned the real value of time. Life is very precious, and I dare not and will not throw any of it away!
I must also use life well, because it will soon be over. “The time is short!” 1 Corinthians 7:29. My days and years will soon be spent, and I cannot recall them. My life is but a shadow–it is but a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Even if I am spared to the full age of man, compared with the long life awaiting me hereafter–my life here on earth is but as a moment.
“You have made my days a mere hand-breadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before You.
Each man’s life is but a breath.” Psalm 39:5
Let me endeavor then to remember how soon life will be gone, and be very careful to use each precious moment well!
If I had a little bucket of water, and no more could be obtained–how carefully I would watch that none of it ran to waste. I would reckon each drop of great value.Such is my life. It is all I have. I must therefore lose none. I must squander none. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12I must use life well, because it is very uncertain. I may have far less than I think. Because I may be looking forward to years to come–and yet I may have but a few months or weeks or days to live! …
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth!” Proverbs 27:1
So I trust my life will not be a wasted one. And though I can do but little compared with many others, I trust that He will say to me at last: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little–I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master!” Matthew 25:23
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise–redeeming the time!” Ephesians 5:15-16