A doctor gave his patient a thorough examination and solemnly announced, “I think you have about ten more to live.” Deeply alarmed, the man replied, “Ten what!? Years? Months?” The doctor answered, “Nine, eight, seven…”

What do we do when time is short? The Bible has some answers for us. 1 Pet.4:7-11 says, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

We are nearer the end of all things than we have ever been before. Therefore we must pray. Here Peter echoes the words of Jesus, who often urges his followers to prepare for his Second Coming by watching and praying. To pray properly we must be alert and sober-minded. We must be aware of what is going on in the world around us and keep our minds clear for effective prayer to take place. Don’t be distracted. Keep your mind clear. Be serious about prayer.

Then Peter says we must love each other deeply. Jesus says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35). How can we love our neighbor—and even our enemies! –if we can’t even love our fellow Christians? We need to strive to love our brothers and sisters in Christ more and more and always be looking for opportunities to put that love into practice.

Finally, Peter says that we need to use the gifts that God has given us. Sometimes the exercise of those gifts involves speaking. Other times it involves serving. Whether we are speaking or doing, the Lord is our source of wisdom and strength. It is God who provides us with all we need to say and do the right things to promote the kingdom of God, thus giving him the glory and praise that he truly deserves.

Knowing that time is short, this is how we must live.