The Days Grow Short—An Autumn Reflection on John 9:4-5

Photo: Greg Dueker

Autumn—the season when nature grows dormant and dies back, it challenges me to wake up and free myself from the cobwebs of inactivity. The days grow shorter and cooler. Now, as I drive home from work, the sun is already setting when only recently it would have been up for another four hours! The nights grow longer and seem bolder as day by day my calendar nears its end. They signal winter's rapid approach. Soon we will long for a warm dry day to be enjoyed to its fullest, whereas just last week sunny and dry was business as usual.

Photo by Greg Dueker

I must ask myself whether I've grown spiritually lethargic and apathetic—having had so many sunny days in which to work. I'm thankful that autumn's brisk winds cut straight through my lungs to my heart. They remind me that time is short, indeed precious, and to be used for his kingdom.

Jesus' words in John 9:4-5 are quickened to me. He said, 

"We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Later, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” So have I been sent? Has God given me a job to do? Am I a husband, father, neighbor, witness, or encourager? Am I doing the good works which God created and redeemed me to do (Ephesians 2:10), or am I merely living for myself unfulfilled and unfruitful?

In the John 9 passage quoted above, the Lord Jesus knew his days on earth were numbered, and he was committed to fulfilling his calling:

• revealing the Father’s loving character to the lost,
• restoring sight to the blind,
• releasing those in spiritual captivity
• repelling darkness, and,
• redeeming mankind from the power and penalty of sin.

Photo: Greg Dueker

He worked with singleness of mind, heart, and purpose. Jesus knew he was sent. He knew his days were growing short. He knew what was at stake for himself, for his disciples, for the multitudes, and for us. Our days in this world are also numbered and growing short. As the psalmist prays, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). 

Photo by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash

The time comes all too swiftly when we go to meet our Lord through that doorway called death. I know I've had many sunny days to minister God's love, light, and life to others, and I don't want to go into Jesus' presence trying to explain why I took my one, two, or five talents and buried them in the TV, a book, or my own appetites. God wants us to invest our all in reaching the lost with the good news that he has paid the price for our sins. He is not willing that anyone should perish but that everyone would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Yet, He is coming soon: the night is coming when no one can work...when it will be too late.

We don't know how long we'll be here.

We don't know how long they'll be here.
We don't know how long until He gets here.
            The days are only getting shorter.

I am seeking a heart of wisdom this fall! How about you?