Making Your Years Count

It's President's Day and on a day when we celebrate many of our great presidents I thought I would share a little something from my favorite president -- Abraham Lincoln.  President Lincoln is credited with many incredible and wonderful achievements, including ending slavery and reuniting a broken country.  These achievements, however, are not what I am going to share today.  Instead, I am going to recite a quote I recently read from the former President:

"It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years that count."

Although only one sentence, this quote speaks volumes to me.  Life is not just about living many years, but it's about making the most of the years you have been given.  Yes, how we live our life is so much more important than living a long life. 

It begins with our choices.  Let me explain what I mean.  For the most part, what we do in life has everything to do with what we choose to do.  This is sometimes hard to understand because not every choice has an immediate impact on our lives.  For example, choosing to go to college may not show any tangible benefits for 4 years (or in my case, 6 years.  Yes, I was able to cram 4 years of college into 6 years).

Of course, going to college is a big decision and not every decision may be that dramatic.  However, all of our choices add up over time.  Every minute of your life is critical.  Choosing to watch 2 hours of TV tonight may mean you will miss out on doing something more significant, like learning a new song on the piano, writing another chapter of your book, or spending time with a dear friend who needs your encouragement. 

So I am learning that making the most of every opportunity is key in living a full, productive life in every area -- from relationships to spirituality.    I have a long way to go in learning this important life-lesson.   Another great man, St. Paul, has inspired me as well in this regard:

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Eph. 5:15-20)

I glean from this passage that I should never  waste the precious moments that have been given to me.  Wise words indeed and an encouargement to me to choose the time I spend thoughtfully.  I hope that you have been encouraged as well.  Make the most of every opportunity and you will truly discover that it is not just about the years in your life, but the life in your years that really count!