Today the average American lives 78.8 years. That averages out to approximately 945 months, 4,111 weeks, 28,781 days, or 690,746 hours. On the surface that certainly seems to be a long, long time. But, really it is not. Ask someone who has lived for 80 years how quickly their life has progressed and it is almost guaranteed they will say that is has absolutely flown by! The Bible says the same. “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). From the second we are born the clock begins ticking, and with each passing moment we are inching closer to the end. Thus, we are commanded to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:15-16). The blessing and brevity of life implores us to live with urgency!
Assuming that Jesus’ ministry lasted a full 3 years, that would mean that He had approximately 26,280 hours to complete His work. Yet, His determination and resolve was so strong, He did not waste a single second of that time. Could the same thing be said about us? Our mission is similar to Christ’s. Jesus told the Apostles to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). That same charge is given to you and me today. Paul instructed Timothy to “be instant” (KJV) or “ready” (NKJV) to preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2). He instructed the church at Colossae to “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5). However, Paul did not just write about urgency, he practiced it as well. After hearing the gospel he was instructed to stop tarrying and be baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). Later, after preaching to the Philippian jailer, he baptized him and his household “straightway” (Acts 16:33).
The average American will spend 9 years of his life watching television, 4 years on the phone, and 9 years emailing, texting, using social media, and other forms of online communication. That removes 22 years of an 80-year lifespan. Imagine how much good we could do for the Kingdom of God during that amount of time. How many good works could we pray for? How many bible studies could we have? How many passages of scripture could we memorize? Brethren, it is urgent that we get busy doing good!