“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
This week, we heard the heartbreaking news about the Learjet 60 crash in South Florida. Nine lives were lost, including a young co-pilot, Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, and members of a family with two young children. Behind every name in the news is a person with dreams, loved ones, plans, and a story that mattered. It is a painful reminder that life is precious and that tomorrow is never something we can take for granted.
Sometimes, we live as if we have unlimited time. We keep postponing the things that matter. We say we will pray later, apologize another day, spend time with our family when we are less busy, or finally pursue what God has placed in our hearts when everything becomes convenient. However, this reminds us that life is not measured only by the number of years we live, but also by how we use the time God has given us.
As Christians, this should not make us live in constant fear. Instead, it should encourage us to live with wisdom and purpose. We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we know the One who holds tomorrow. Therefore, let us not wait for another opportunity to draw closer to God. Let us make time for prayer, choose forgiveness, show kindness, appreciate our loved ones, and fulfill our responsibilities with a grateful heart. Moreover, let us remember that even the simplest acts of love can leave a lasting impact on someone's life.
This tragedy also reminds us to be compassionate. Behind every heartbreaking headline are families who are grieving and people whose lives have been changed forever. We may never fully understand why certain things happen, and we should be careful not to assume God's reasons for every tragedy. What we can do is pray for those who are hurting and allow such moments to remind us of the importance of loving one another while we still have the opportunity.
“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 (NIV)
My prayer is that we will never become too busy to live meaningfully. May we stop taking ordinary days and familiar faces for granted. Let us surrender our plans to the Lord, trust His timing, and remember that every new morning is another opportunity to grow in faith and reflect His love.
