Sir Christopher Wren was an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who was one of the most highly acclaimed architects in the history of England. In 1666, after the Great Fire of London, he was given the responsibility of rebuilding 52 churches in the City of London. St Paul’s Cathedral, which is regarded as his masterpiece, was completed in 1710.

Christopher was educated at Oxford University and undertook architectural work there. High on the wall of All Souls College, Oxford, is mounted a Christopher Wren-designed sundial carrying the Latin inscription, Pereunt et imputantur – “The hours perish and are laid to our charge.” Clearly Christopher was aware how quickly time passes and that we are accountable to God for how we use our days.

In Psalm 90 Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We all need to be reminded how fleeting our lives are. Christopher lived to the age of 90, so had 32, 850 days on this earth. For many people their time on earth is much shorter. Christopher’s first wife died just 6 years after they married, and their first son died aged 18 months.

David, the Psalmist, was conscious that God had given him life, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” It is good to treasure each day God gives us. Jesus taught his disciples to ask their heavenly Father, “Give us each day our daily bread.” He also taught them not to be anxious about tomorrow because “each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It is a blessing when we consciously commit our days to God and learn to trust him. A well-known Christian song says, “My days are in your hand; my God, I wish them there! My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to your care. My days are in your hand whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as you know best for me. My days are in your hand; why should I doubt or fear? My Father’s hand will never cause his child a needless tear. My days are in your hand: Jesus, the Crucified; those hands my cruel sins had pierced are now my guard and guide. My days are in your hand; such faith you give to me that after death, at your right hand I shall forever be.”