On Thursday, December 15, Craig Sager passed away at the age of 65. The sideline sports reporter was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2014. Of his more than 40-year illustrious career, over half was spent at Turner Sports reporting on the sidelines of NBA basketball games. It was no difficult task to spot him on the television, as he was known for his outlandish, vibrant ensembles. He was well respected, and left a unique mark on the sports broadcasting landscape.
Coincidentally, two NBA games were scheduled for broadcasting on Turner Network Television the day of his passing. To honor him, the players and others wore t-shirts which served as a representation of his unusual style of dress. On the back of the shirts was a quote attributed to Sager:
“Time is simply how you live your life.”
The apostle Paul noted a truth concerning God spoken by some Athenian poets in his sermon on Mars’ Hill (cf. Acts 17:28). He likewise referred to an accurate statement about Cretans made by “a prophet of their own” in his letter to Titus (cf. Titus 1:12-13). There are times when those in the world utter enlightening words which can be spiritually applied. Craig Sager spoke truth when he said, “Time is simply how you live your life,” and we would do well to consider the sentiment.
Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). Time is a measurement of existence. It was created by God as a collection of opportunities for man. These are few, and fleeting. The son of David reached the conclusion of the whole matter – or time of life. He penned, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Every second of existence is an opportunity provided by God to conform to His will. “Time is simply how you live your life,” and if you are not living it in submission to God you are wasting your time. You are wasting your life. And time is escaping. David reflected, “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Psalm 39:5). What little time we are afforded on this earth should be used for thoroughly searching God’s will, deep introspection, and constant active obedience.
No sooner are we born than we vanish away (cf. James 4:14). This minuscule period of time is entrusted to us to follow God, and for it we will be judged. As the Hebrew writer affirmed, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). “Time is simply how you live your life,” and when time is no more, then eternity. Craig Sager’s eternity will be determined by how he used his time, as will ours. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16).