I got the news that a former coworker had passed away in a car accident. With the news of her passing, I am reminded of how frail we are. Scripture puts in this way, “As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is no more, and its place knows it no longer” (Psalm 103:15-16).

No wonder the psalmist made this request, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NLT). This request appears ordinary on the surface.  But really, it is quite profound, for if we lived like we knew how short life is, we would forgive much quicker, let go of anger much easier, love more fervently, you name it. Furthermore, we would not put off what we can do today for tomorrow because tomorrow may never come for us. This is perhaps the wisdom the psalmist speaks of wanting to grow in. May we all have the desire to grow in wisdom.