2012 is Leap Year so we have an extra day this year. My calendar has February 29 on it and that is a day that was not on my last three calendars. Nor will it be on my next three. I have read that we really do not have any extra time during the year, since every year has one-fourth of a day that does not show up on paper until Leap Year. So I guess I do not actually have an extra day this year. In some ways that is very disappointing. I was looking forward to the fun things I could do with an extra day off. Surely no one would have to work, not even on chores at home. Maybe it would be a designated party day, or national goof-off day.

Or maybe I should do something productive. How about a day to help the poor and needy in my community? Maybe it should be a world Armistice Day with no fighting allowed. But evidently there really is not any extra time. Of course, some people are saying it does not matter anyway since the world is apparently going to end this year. The Mayans made a calendar a long time ago that runs out of days this year. I need to know if that is right. After all, if this world is about to end there may be some things I would do differently. Be nicer. Or maybe be meaner.

It is very confusing. What do I do with my time? And how much time exactly do I have? What would you do if you knew exactly how much time you had left?

The truth is that I do not worry about how much time I have, or what to do with it. Those questions were answered for me when I became a Christian. My purpose in life is to use my time to glorify God by doing the good works God has planned for me. My life matters. I have a reason to get up and a reason for my life. I will spend whatever time I have in this life doing that.

So how long will I have to do it? I don’t know and I really don’t care. Either Jesus will come back to this world and take me to live with God forever, or I will die and go live with God forever. So how much time do I have? Forever. Some of it here, and the rest of it with God in heaven. And that is very liberating in terms of how I live my life.

I really don't have time to worry. And I'm glad.
I believe God has planned work for you to do also. He has a purpose for your time and for your life. So if you wonder about how much time you have, and what you are supposed to do with it... I would enjoy visiting with you. Write me at steve@hopeforlife.org or join the blog discussion at www.hopeforlife.org.

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