Do you find yourself struggling to remember to write the date of the new year after the first of January? Does each year seem to pass faster the older you get? When grandparents feel the years fleeting, they may feel as though their future is very limited. But in God’s economy and timeline, we need to live with the goal of making the most of each day we’re given.

The World’s Perspective

The world and our culture send messages such as:

• “You’ve worked hard and now it’s time to take it easy.”
• “Retire so you can rest.” 
• “You’re not up-to-date, or relevant, or needed now.”
• “This world is a mess and you should just quit!”

What God Says to Our Generation

Job 14:5 – “A man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”

Psalm 39:4, 6, 7 – “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days, let me know how fleeting my life is…[Man] bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 – “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…”

Indeed, the Bible affirms that we have limited time here on earth. We cannot even be sure our savings accounts or investments will be available for beneficiaries. The good news is that, in spite of the brevity of life, those times have value and an eternal purpose. So how do we determine the way God would want us to live each day?

Finding Wisdom and Direction

Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Psalm 90:12, 14, 17  – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days…May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us…”

We must begin with keeping the Lord at the center of our own lives; Psalm 90:14 exhorts us to look to Him first thing in the morning to replenish our joy for the day. He promises to give us wisdom as we seek Him and dwell in His Word. The Bible teaches us to be joyful and to give thanks in all our circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) and for each day He makes for us (Psalm 118:24). Each moment is a gift to us to use in loving and serving God and others. As we prioritize our relationship with Him, we will more easily stay focused on what truly matters. Recognizing the limits of our days can motivate us to live with intentionality, spending our time on the God-given goals which bring Him glory and serve others. This is the wise approach to meaningful living.

God looks on the heart, not on bald heads or creaky joints! He is telling us that our assignment isn’t completed yet! We may move at a slower pace but there is still much to be done to share the message of His love and salvation – that is the “work of our hands” described in Psalm 90:17.

The Divine Assignment

The generations coming after us (our adult children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) still benefit from our involvement in their lives. Even if physical impairments restrict us and as long as we have breath, the very least we can do is to intercede for them in prayer, tell them of God’s love and mercy, and model a joyful heart because of His presence in our life. God’s purpose of influencing them through a life based on Christ still applies no matter our advancing years. Our days may be limited but our impact doesn’t have to be. Grandparents have great significance and opportunity, not to be wasted.

Pray! Encourage! Teach! Remain hopeful and joyful!

Prayer:

Lord, help me to have a joyful spirit as I daily remember Your gifts of love and salvation. Teach me how to make the most of each day and each opportunity for Your purposes. Lead me in Your ways so that I may serve the generations coming after me for Your glory. I choose to look forward to whatever You have planned for the year ahead of me; may I rejoice in each moment. Amen.

Scripture verses are New International Version (NIV).