Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
“When you are beginning to be old, and I am beginning to be old, for I am fifty, both times and places no longer take on the same meaning. Do I have a “day”? Do I spend my “day” in a “place”?”
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in A Year with Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journals (New York: HarperCollins, 2004) 129.
I read this quote months ago in this daily devotional and thankfully managed to locate it online from Australia. Yes, today’s my birthday. I am 50 years old and filled with gratitude for so many things, most of all, the grace and love of Christ. Week two of Advent points us to the love of Christ, so let’s not allow my birthday distract from the profound meaning of this post.
In our younger years (largely in ignorance), we act like we have a never ending supply of days. We also dream about having our own place (on earth) and work tirelessly to try to acquire it. Then at some point we realize our time is better spent living every day for Christ and waiting to see the place He is preparing for each of us. It took me many years to figure this out.
Today Jenni and I are facilitating a retreat in the Blue Mountains (pictured above). I never dreamed we’d travel so much. Sometimes it’s tiring, but we’ve learned to enjoy the journey because we are all travelers, and this world is not our home. As we possess neither days nor places, the best thing we can do is make the most of every day and live for God wherever He leads us.