Number the Days
By Kristy Soliman
If there’s one word to describe the lives of many today it would be “overload”. Overload is a reminder of the weight that is placed on our shoulders because of simple everyday life. We constantly fall under so much pressure, whether it’s from school, work, university, or just life in general, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, anxious & overcommitted. Our tanks are left empty, and we are running on the toxic fumes that begin to slowly kill us from within.
Imagine this: it’s January 1st and you’ve decided “New year, New me! Time to get in shape”. It’s your first time at the gym and you’re as motivated as ever. You’ve decided to start on a treadmill setting it at the highest speed possible. You’re running and running as fast as you can to keep up with the machine because you know once you stop, you’ll fall off the back and it’ll hurt. You’re looking for the button to try and stop the machine so you can take a breather but can’t find it. Hours go past and you’re exhausted. This is like our life – we’re constantly running for days, weeks, months even years. Running while carrying heavy backpacks full of “important” things in our lives, things like family, study, career, financial plans, personal goals, and the classic “to-do” lists. All that running starts catching up to us. We’re worn out, tired, exhausted.
God warns us in the bible about the concision of life. Psalm 90:10-12 says:
“As for the days of our years, their span is seventy years, but for we stay strong, perhaps eighty; And most of them are labour and pain; for meekness comes upon us, and we shall be chastened. Who knows the power of Your wrath, and who knows Your anger because of Your fear? So, make known Your right hand to us, that we may number our days, and our heart may be bound with wisdom”
So how do we number our days? I believe the simplest answer is prioritise your life based on what’s truly important. As a Coptic Orthodox Christian our number 1 priority should be our relationship with God. Psalm 62:1-2 says, “Shall not my soul be submissive to God? For from Him is my salvation.”
When we recognise that our time on Earth is limited then we can appreciate the true essence of life on the path of righteousness, preparing for what comes after in eternal life. I pray that the Lord is able to teach every person on Earth to “number the days” and gain a heart of wisdom preparing us for everlasting life.
“My Lord Jesus Christ …
St Pope Kyrillos VI
Make me worthy to go along the way of the saints.
Keep me firm in the Orthodox faith,
to keep the commandments and not to
care about what is in this world.
My Lord Jesus Christ, protect me.
My Lord Jesus Christ shelter me in the shadow of Your wings.
My Lord Jesus Christ, save me from the falls.”