Short on Time
Time is short. Such a commonly used phrase. Oddly, as I get older time seems to get shorter. I was just lamenting that it’s mid-July already. I can remember as a child when the summer seemed to go on and on, each day as wonderful as the last.
In Biblical times it’s hard to wrap my head around the idea of time being short. The Bible covers such large span of time, how does one interpret the idea of time being short? God is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. It can be perplexing.
In a recent small group discussion, the question was posed of whether or not Christians have become lax in the recognition of time being short. The obvious answer would seem to be, “yes”. It could however, be “no” for others. I wanted to answer “no” but I shuttered as I recounted just how many of my friends and family are far from God.
What would happen if I found out that those I loved here are earth did not join me in the forever home of Heaven?
How then do I respond to the proverbial shortness of time? After all, James 4:14 basically asks and answers the question:
“…What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
Not particularly comforting, but I don’t believe it was meant to be. I believe it is to show us that the shortness of time has been a human concern for thousands of years.
Fortunately the Bible does give us direction, encouragement and hope:
Direction: Psalm 90:2 gives insight as to what we are to do with our limited time. Here we are advised to ask for instruction: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Encouragement: Colossians 4:5 tells us to, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Ironically, Paul likely wrote this while he was in prison. He is basically telling us as believers to seize every moment. Every encounter we have with those around us is a valuable opportunity to share God’s love and the good news of the Gospel.
Hope: Even when we don’t see the expected outcome of our actions, we are advised in Galatians 6:9 to not give up! Here Paul says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Bottomline, we are not in the outcome business, God is. We are in the business of telling our story and the story of Jesus and His redeeming love. This is the Gospel. This is the good news. Don’t give up. Go and tell others.
JW