Life is fragile. We are all just passing by.

As human beings, we are all aware of the fragility of life. Time is limited. We are all just passing by.

In chess tournaments, players often play using a clock. The clock is set for the allotted time allowed for each player to make his moves. When it gets to the last 5 minutes of the game, the flag of the clock starts to rise until it falls to signal the end of the game.

70 years of age is equivalent to 25, 568 days or 613, 620 hours or 36, 817, 920 minutes! If you know that that's going to be the length of your time on planet earth, how then should you spend it?  Even if you live beyond 70, life is still short.

The thought challenges us to see the reality of our mortality. The challenge is to number our days, hours, or minutes well, that we may live with lasting purpose and wholeness. It also warns us of ignoring the eternal dimension of life because one day we shall die.

The Psalmist says, "The length of our days is 70 years or 80, if we have the strength; for they quickly pass and we fly away. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  (Psalm 90: 10-12)