Articles
Time
Have you ever noticed how we are governed by time? Our lives are focused on it. We shape and construct our days based upon it. Solomon said, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-“(Ecc. 3:1). We understand this. There is just too much to do and no time to do it! We have appointments at a certain time, and we have to be at work at a certain time; there is school at a certain time and practice at a certain time; from funerals to weddings, to our worship service, they all are at a certain time. We talk about how time sure files, and ask, “Where did the time go?” We talk about running out of time and wishing we had more time, but we face the sobering truth that once time has passed we cannot get more time.
The Bible has a lot to say about time. It is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible. We are reminded of some examples, such as Felix who said that he would hear the Apostle Paul concerning the judgment at a “more convenient time” (Acts 24:25). Jesus came to earth in the fullness of time.” (Gal. 4:4).
Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days. It's not about math problem, determining how old we are, rather it is a way of establishing in each of us the proper attitude we should have towards life. So how can we number our days? How can we keep a proper attitude about time?
- Value the Time We're Given.
The time we have comes from the Lord (Psalm 118:24; Acts 17:24-26). The time we have is short (Jas. 4:14; Job 14:2; Ps. 144:4). Life is limited. Even those who are "older" and have lived for many years, one of the things they say is how fast the years have flown. It's true! Life doesn't last long. In Matt. 6:34Jesus reminds us how precious every day is, and how important it is to live for each day. There's a quote which says, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."
Value the time you're in. It may not be the most enjoyable. You may wish you were out of school, or had a better job, or lived in a better place, but slow down and enjoy where you are at. The time of the life you are in now, you'll never be there again. You'll only be young once. Your kids will only be young once. There are some things in life you'll only be able to do for a short time. Once it is gone, it is gone. We think of the song "Cats in the Cradle" about the father who made no time for his son, and looked back on it with regret. Time is valuable and precious - treat it as such.
- Make the Most of Your Time.
Paul reminds us in Eph. 5:15-16 to make the most of the time we're given. Since we are only given so much time, we need to be good stewards of the time God has given us, and use that time wisely. Time killers like procrastination, disorganization, or maybe just too many demands, cause us to waste our time, often on things that truly don't matter.
How can I make the most of my time?
- Make time for God - Acts 24:25 - "I'll find time..". You don't find time for God. You MAKE time for God. We don't try to squeeze God into a busy schedule. In everything I do God comes first, and I will set aside time today for God - talking with Him, listening to Him through reading His Word, etc.
- Priorities - putting first things first. God comes first in my life. My family takes second place - building up and caring for my mate and my children. My brethren come third - spending time with them, encouraging and supporting them. All else comes after these important pillars in my life.
- Organization - the better organized we are the better we'll be able to use our time. How often are we scattered, or scattered in our thoughts because we are not organized? How much time do we spend looking for things because we are not organized?
- Set Good Goals - Jesus taught on counting the cost - Luke 14:27-29. Counting the cost involves thinking something through, planning, getting prepared. These are good ways to use our time - give yourself something to work toward.
Do you see the principle? There are a lot of things that can steal away our time. Yet I must be reminded that there are some things in this life I must give my time to. It is never a waste of time to build a closer bond with my family. It is never a waste of time to read the Bible. It is not wrong to take leisure and rest, but we must not let it consume us and steal the hours, months, years of our life away.
We sing the song, "When the Roll is Called up Yonder." There's a phrase in that song which goes, "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more." There will come a time in which there will be no more time. We'll dwell in eternity. What a beautiful thought - I get to enjoy the riches of heaven, the company of faithful people through time, surrounded by loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord, living with my Jesus - all of which will never come to an end, because time shall be no more.
How are you using your time? You have time today, how will you use it? These are great things to think about!
