February 29 Catching Up to Our Calendars
February 29
Catching Up to Our Calendars
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
—Psalm 34:12-14
Scientists tell us that we need February 29 to make up for the difference between the way we calculate our year and the length of time it actually takes for the earth to revolve around the sun. It seems that our planet is just a tad behind our calendars.
I agree. Our days often seem to outrun the planet, which spins through space at 107,200 kilometers per hour. At 7:00 A.M. we’re gulping down a cup of coffee to catch the train, or shoving a bottle into the little tyke while we drive to day-care before a committee meeting. Our weekends rush by in a frenzy of cleaning (who’s got time for cleaning!) and shopping and cooking and…
David, the psalmist, did not have to catch trains or change diapers. And I suspect he didn’t have a single committee meeting to attend. But his calendar was no less stressful. In Psalm 34 he’s being chased by a rat, King Saul. (That’s the first rat race ever recorded in history!) There was hardly time to think. Plus, he had a band of discontented castaways to protect in a dingy cave.
But his outlook on the day is worthy of attention. He tells us in verse 12 that if we want to have a life (not activity but life) and enjoy our days and the length of them, there are four things that we must do:
Keep our tongue from deceit.
Depart from evil.
Do good.
Seek peace.
This list represents a life of simplicity, devoid of deadlines and calendars. Take today, this extra day, and cultivate the habit of placing David’s list on your agenda.
Lord, my life is so hectic, and I feel that I’ve outrun Your will at times. Slow me down to do that which is good in Your sight. Fill my calendar with faithful appointments.