The Clock Keeps Ticking: An Inspirational Story

Fresh Manna Devotions
April 25, 2025
5
min read

Logan Bennett sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the clock on the wall. The steady tick, tick, tick seemed louder than usual in the quiet room. He couldn’t stop thinking about the voicemail he’d received from his doctor earlier that day. “Logan, your test results came back. We need to discuss them in person. Please call to schedule an appointment.”

The words had stuck in his mind like glue. Logan wasn’t the type to dwell on things, but this felt different. At 43, he’d always considered himself healthy. He worked out a couple of times a week, ate reasonably well, and kept stress in check—or so he thought. But the call had forced him to confront a truth he rarely thought about: time was running out. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually, for everyone, the clock stops.Later that evening, Logan found himself digging through a drawer and pulling out his old Bible, a gift from his grandfather when he was a teenager. He flipped aimlessly at first until his eyes fell on Psalm 39:4–5: "LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath."

Logan exhaled deeply. “A breath,” he whispered. That word hit him like a freight train. His life, which he had always viewed as a long journey with plenty of time to spare, was just a fleeting moment in the scope of eternity.For the first time in years, Logan began to reflect on how he’d been living. His career as a marketing executive had consumed so much of his time and energy. Sure, he was successful—he’d climbed the corporate ladder, bought a beautiful house, and enjoyed the occasional luxurious vacation. But what did it all amount to? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d truly invested in relationships, much less his faith.Logan closed his eyes and prayed, something he hadn’t done in a long time. “God, I don’t know what this call from the doctor means, but I know I’ve wasted so much time chasing things that don’t matter. Help me to live the rest of my life for You, no matter how much time I have left.”The next morning, Logan made two decisions. First, he called his doctor to set up the appointment. Second, he called his younger brother, Daniel. They hadn’t spoken in nearly three years after a falling-out over their late father’s estate. “Hey,” Logan said when Daniel picked up. “It’s been a long time. Can we talk?”

That phone call was the first of many changes Logan began to make. Over the weeks that followed, he reached out to friends and family he had lost touch with. He started attending church regularly and joined a small group where he could grow in his faith. Logan even began volunteering at a local community center, using his professional skills to help people write resumes and find jobs.The doctor’s call turned out to be less dire than Logan had feared—his condition was treatable with some changes to his lifestyle. But Logan knew that the wake-up call had been a gift. It wasn’t just about his health; it was about his soul. God had reminded him of the brevity of life and given him the opportunity to live the rest of his days with purpose.Years later, Logan would tell people that Psalm 39 had changed his life. “I used to think I had all the time in the world,” he’d say. “But now I know every day is a gift, and every moment is an opportunity to live for God.”Today, let's remember that life is fragile, and our days are numbered. How are you using the time God has given you? Reflect on Psalm 39:4–5 and ask the Lord to guide you in living a life of purpose and intention. Whether it’s reconciling with loved ones, serving others, or deepening your relationship with Christ, remember: each day is a gift, and eternity is what truly matters. James 4:14 (NLT) "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone."

In His love,

Pastor Tim Burt

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Timothy Burt is a pastor and author. He is best known as the author of Fresh Manna, a daily Bible devotional read in 228 countries (official and non-official) worldwide.

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