If you knew how much time you had left to live, how would you live? If we knew the specifics, it would likely have a radical impact on living and perspective.

A man lay dying on his deathbed, with only a short time to live. He deeply lamented his life's end: "'Please Lord, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and wholeheartedly and have done what is good in Your sight.'" And Hezekiah wept bitterly." (2 Kings 20:3)

Now, the end of the story is not the end of King Hezekiah's life. God, in His mercy, granted him an extension of life: "I will add fifteen years to your life" (2 Kings 20:6). Hezekiah's life was not only spared, he was allowed to know just how much time he had left. Imagine the perspective that gave to him! Not surprisingly, this is recorded of his remaining years: "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? (2 Kings 20:20). He worked diligently during his remaining years, as anyone would do with specific knowledge of their life's end.

Mercifully, we are not privy to specific information about our life's end. None of us accurately know whether we have 50, 20, 10, or 5 years, or even 1 day left. But, we intuitively know that our days will come to an end, sooner or later. So, the challenge and opportunity before us every day we live is to make the moment count. Don't take loved ones for granted. Savor friendships. Be moved with compassion for those who haven't responded to the gospel of the kingdom and the name of Jesus.

Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011