The Dash Between the Dates

A headstone serves as a marker for a person’s grave. But it also serves as an extremely brief summary of the person’s life. A typical headstone might read: John Doe, May 29, 1946–October 15, 2025, beloved son, husband, and father.

What’s interesting, though, is that the smallest etching on the headstone—the dash between the date of birth and date of death—represents what ultimately matters most. That dash is the entirety of our days.

We cannot determine how long we will live on this earth. We may try. We may follow every healthy trend we see online. We may load up on high-end supplements. We may constantly obsess about doing the right things, where our health is concerned. But as Jesus asked in Matthew 6:27, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (NLT).

God determines the length of our lives. He decided when we were born, and He decides when we will die. We have nothing to say about those dates. But we have everything to say about the dash between them. That dash encompasses every decision we make, every path we choose, every priority we elevate, every interaction we have, and every use of our God-given gifts and abilities. That dash represents how we use the days that God so graciously gives us. More specifically, it reflects whether we pursue God’s agenda or our own.

According to Scripture, we’re all placed on this earth to glorify and honor God and to produce spiritual fruit in our lives. It’s telling that after this life is over, when believers are gathered in Heaven for eternity, we will sing this song: “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased” (Revelation 4:11 NLT).

We exist for the pleasure of God. Jesus said, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16 NLT). He also said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (verse 8 NLT).

So, ultimately, the dash is our chance to produce as much spiritual fruit, and to make the most of as many spiritual opportunities as we possibly can. Not for our own glory, but for God’s. That means investing our precious time in His Word—studying it, memorizing it, and helping others understand it. It means seeking out opportunities to share our faith and equipping ourselves to make the most of the chances when they come. It means staying connected to the Lord through prayer—seeking His will, giving Him our burdens, and listening for His guidance.

Your dash is a gift from God. Make the most of it.

Reflection question: How can you make the most of your dash? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

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