Generations ago, Lewis Bayly wrote a devotional book. It was a how-to manual for living faithfully in the modern world, beginning at home.

A lot has changed in society since Bayly’s book was first published in 1611. But many of his insights endure, like this one: “wish rather a good life than a long.”* His point was that we can get so caught up in living for a long time that we forget our higher calling: living well for the glory of God. 

A “good life” is one that honours the author of all that is good—God himself. 

Can we do both? Of course. I know many people who have lived lives of love and godliness to the 100-year mark. Praise be to God!

But length is not as important as depth. That’s what this devotional is supposed to help us think about. 

In Psalm 90:12 Moses prayed: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” In this case, “numbering our days” has to do with being mindful about the limited amount of time we have. When we have that awareness we are more likely to live wisely instead of wastefully. 

Or we could look at John 10:10 where Jesus famously said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” As you study Jesus’ words in that Gospel, you notice that having a full life isn’t just about length, but depth.

I really do hope you live a long and joyful life. But only God knows how many days you have. No matter how much time you do (or don’t) have, let’s live lives that are good and deep—lives of prayer, love, holiness and servanthood.

We don’t have much of a say in how long we live, but we do have a say in how we live.

Not every day will be perfect. In fact, some will be pretty pathetic. But as you grow in faith, the people around you will be blessed. And you will smile.

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Notes:

–*Lewis Bayly, The Practice of Piety (SDG Publishing, 1997), 122. 
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.