Life Expectancy


Have you heard about the online life expectancy calculator? It helps us measure our so-called virtual Age or health age. Supposedly, the lower our Virtual Age the healthier we are.
The result of my recent virtual age test.
Image source: http://www.sonnyradio.com/

 The calculator asks more than thirty questions on health factors. It computes those factors to determine our life span. It asks questions on the quality of our lives like close friendships, happiness in marriage and job satisfaction. (I just can’t understand how just being a male can affect one’s virtual age.) Then, it would give you an approximate on how long you can expect to live, not just in years but also even in days. So, you can now literally count your remaining days.

Of course, the calculator can give us estimates only. It admits, “The science of aging cannot predict all events of one’s life.” But it gives us a new approach to Psalm 90:12. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (ESV) That Psalm talks about the passing nature of life: “We live out our years like one long sigh. Each of us lives for 70 years—or even 80 if we are in good health. But the best of them bring trouble and misery. Indeed, they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (Vv. 9-10, God’s Word) Take a long, deep breath. Then, exhale slowly. That’s how fleeting life is.
Image source: Izifunny

 How can we get a heart of wisdom from numbering our days? Because it teaches us to make the most of our lives. That’s why we are commanded in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Look carefully then how you walk [or, live], not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (ESV) The Greek word for “time” here refers to opportunity, not to real time as measured by minutes and seconds. But, time is an opportunity by itself. 
Image source: Embrace the Struggle

 We are to make the most of the opportunity to live our lives the way God intended it to be lived. We should aim not just to reach the maximum of our life expectancy but also we are to pursue life excellently. We do that by obeying God. That’s why Paul concludes, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (v. 17) It would be foolish to be informed only of one’s life expectancy. It would be wise to invest our lives in His will.

Have we numbered our days?

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