A Prayer for Those Afraid to Waste Their Lives - Your Daily Prayer - August 26

Your Daily Prayer

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By Peyton Garland, Crosswalk.com

A Prayer for Those Afraid to Waste Their Lives
By Peyton Garland

Bible Reading:
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom… Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” - Psalm 90:12,14 (NIV)

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The Bible warns that this is only a temporary existence. Time grants today but doesn’t promise tomorrow. Thus, we learn to make our lives matter. This is easier said than done, however, when the routine of daily survival controls nearly all that we are. We wake up, get the kids to school, get to work, punch the clock, leave the office, run errands, get to the ball field/dance recital/etc, get everyone home in bed at a decent time. And repeat. Over and over and over.

Occasionally, though, when money and schedules allow, we carve out a portion of time to make it mean something. Perhaps we label it a vacation, a party, or a cookout. Regardless, it’s an event we force time to take on so we aren’t wasting life away, and we try to force its perfection too. We too easily forget that we can’t manipulate much of anything when it comes to manmade fun, whether that be an uncooperative toddler, stormy weather, or a not-so-trustworthy event planner. Sure, we can try cultivating memories and meaning by going to the zoo with family or hosting a surprise birthday party for friends, but ensuring these events run smoothly is as predictable as the wind.

So what do you do when you have one thing you were truly looking forward to, one thing that was supposed to fix the rut you’ve found yourself in, and it flops? You fail? They don’t show? Naptime ruins it? A teen complains the whole time? A spouse forgets? Money is too tight? Money won’t permit? You remind yourself that perfection and grace can’t coexist. You can only choose one in this life because time and sin won’t grant both.

However, it’s important to understand that perfection will make you believe fulfillment comes from having your life put together. Grace lets you rest in the fulfillment that only comes from knowing you will never have your life perfectly put together.

Perfection will urge you to grow bitter at whoever ruins your plans. Grace will remind you how gracious that person was when you were the one who forgot.
Perfection will put all the pressure on you. Grace will remind you that perfection was never a burden you were meant to bear.
Perfection will focus on your mistakes. Grace will focus on another chance.
Perfection will let shame rule your life. Grace will allow peace and sanctification to restore your soul.

Perhaps it’s time we make our days count, not by the money we spend, the memories we force, or the routine we dare escape, but by the grace we grant ourselves and others, no matter what each day holds. Time often seems as though it’s against us, but grace sees time in a softer light. Grace recognizes the ticking clock as an opportunity for adventure and service but never demands that we despite the simple days and their routines. Rather, grace lets us pause–as each second ticks by–and rejoice in God’s abundance that follows us all the days of our lives.

Let’s Pray:

God, thank you for the gift of time, for allowing us to use each day as an opportunity to love others and see your beauty where we are. When it seems we’ve wasted time or our plans have failed, grant us the grace to be free from perfection. Let us surrender our failures and fears and futures into your strong, kind hands. May we accept and rest in knowing our purpose, our meaning, isn’t defined by what we do but by who you are. In your holy name, Father, Amen.

Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement.

Related Resource: Be Still - Advent Meditations

This Advent season can be full and hurried, which is exactly why we need moments to pause and be still with God. So Much More is a podcast created to bring you space to be with God - and this month, we're walking through Advent Meditations all designed to help you quiet yourself and hear from the Lord. If you like what you hear, subscribe to So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!