Time. We all have it—but not forever. And maybe that’s why it matters so deeply, because we only get so much of it in this life. It’s not just the backdrop to our own stories; it’s the very fabric of how we impact those around us. Time shapes our choices, our relationships, and ultimately, our legacy. Every moment whispers with eternal significance. And yet, how easily we let it slip through our fingers. What if we paused long enough to truly feel the weight of each passing hour? What if we saw time not just as something we manage, but something we redeem?
“For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow” (Job 8:9).
Life truly is a precious gift, but every day we’re gently, yet firmly, reminded that our time here is limited (James 4:14). It’s a humbling thought, isn’t it, how quickly it all goes by? Yet, it’s a truth we all share.Many years ago, I heard Billy Graham preach on the topic “Life Is Short.” He spoke about the urgency of time and the fleeting nature of life, quoting James 4:14: “What is your life? It’s even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
Speaking especially to the younger generation, he emphasized how quickly time passes and urged listeners to live with eternal priorities.He stressed the importance of acting now—loving your family, sharing the gospel, giving, serving, and studying God’s Word—because none of us knows how much time we have left. As Jesus said, “The night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). That message stuck with me. It still challenges me today to be more intentional with how I spend my time, and to stay focused on what truly matters.
Often we treat time like a commodity, but it’s vital that we pause and reflect on how short our stay actually is. From the moment we’re born, the clock starts ticking, counting down every precious moment we’ve been given to make a lasting impact.In recent years, the term “bucket list” has become a cultural staple. It’s that list of things we hope to do before we “kick the bucket.” While it can be a meaningful reminder to live fully, it also raises deeper questions: Is chasing a bucket list truly fulfilling, or is it pointing to something our souls are missing?
At its core, the drive to check off bucket-list items often comes from the belief that this life is all we get. It’s as if we’re cramming in everything before the final curtain call. But if that’s the case, then life becomes a desperate scramble to experience temporary pleasures before everything ends. Is that really the whole story?
As we busy ourselves with plans, dreams, and goals, do we ever truly pause to consider what happens after we “kick the bucket”?
“O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am. Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath” (Psalm 39:4-5).
For those of us who follow Christ, our view of life must go far beyond the here and now. The Bible reveals that this life is not the end, but the beginning of something far greater. At the heart of our hope is the promise of renewal—a restoration of all things, including the earth itself (Matthew 19:28).
This renewal isn’t just symbolic—it’s literal. God promises to remake the world free from sin, pain, and death. Jesus called it a “new beginning.” The coming Millennial Kingdom will be a renewed paradise, a fresh start for creation itself. Sadly, many Christians have never heard this truth, having been taught instead that “heaven” is the final destination. But Scripture is clear: Jesus will return to earth, and the saved will reign with him in a restored world.
That doesn’t mean we stop dreaming or making plans. But it does mean our ultimate hope shouldn’t be rooted in temporary accomplishments or earthly pleasure. True purpose and lasting joy come when we live for what’s eternal—not for what’s passing away.
This eternal perspective shifts everything. It transforms our view of time, gives meaning to our trials, and fills our days with a sense of sacred urgency. We begin to see even our bucket lists in a new light—not as desperate attempts to “squeeze life dry,” but as reminders that this life is a preparation for what’s to come.
As we look ahead, we must be honest: our time on Earth is brief. Our bodies will age, our seasons will change, and one day, we’ll have to let go of everything and everyone we know. That’s not a dark thought—it’s a truthful one. And truth has a way of waking us up.
“The days of our years are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we have the strength; yet their pride is toil and sorrow; for soon it is gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).
But even in the brevity of life, there is joy. Deep, sustaining, beautiful joy. We find it in moments with those we love, in the beauty of creation, and in the peace that comes from walking with God. Still, even these are temporary gifts. They are not the source—they are the signs pointing us to something greater.
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more” (Psalm 103:15-16).
Our hope isn’t in the passing beauty of today—it’s in the eternal promise of tomorrow. That promise reframes our purpose, reorients our values, and brings a joy that no amount of earthly achievement can match.
So, as we walk through this life, let’s lift our gaze beyond what’s temporary. Let our lives testify to a hope far greater than any accomplishment or adventure—a hope rooted in the renewal of all things. This truth fills every day with meaning and keeps our hearts anchored in what truly lasts.
Time waits for no one—and as we hold on to this hope, we can’t afford to keep it to ourselves. Someone near you is quietly searching for more—more meaning, more peace, more truth. People all around us are aching for answers, and God wants to work through you, just as He promised, to help lead them to life. We don’t know how much time we have left. So, we need to follow the command of Ephesians 5:16: “Make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
As Charles Spurgeon wisely said, “The years of our life are few and evil; let us redeem the time and walk soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” Every moment matters. So, let’s share this hope boldly, living with urgency and purpose as we press toward the everlasting joy that lies ahead.Redeeming the time with you,
