WestCoast Challenge: Too Late Too Soon?

I have a white noise app on my iPhone that creates various rhythmic sounds that enable one to fall asleep in the presence of an irritating noise such as traffic or snoring. The version I have gives me the choice of listening to a fan, crickets, heavy rain, waves on a beach, wind chimes, Amazon jungle noises and so forth. It is quite amazing as regardless of my choice the rhythmic sound will inevitably lead me into a state of drowsiness that leaves me oblivious to all else.

I wonder if the passing of time works in a similar way to the unsuspecting soul. Years come and go and one season follows the other with a never ceasing regularity. On and on time marches and then before you know it your first Canada Pension cheque arrives and some time later, a very young twenty year old is helping a senior citizen (you) out of a wheelchair. To quote Dr Seuss, “How did it get so late so soon?”

Time is His gift to us. Let's use it in a way that glorifies Him. 

As God’s people we should be especially sensitive to passing of time and how we ourselves use the time that is ours. The scriptures encourage us to be mindful of how we manage our time. Paul in Ephesians 5:15 – 16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

The year 2015 has come to an end and 2016 has begun. There is nothing that can be done about 2015 but I do want to be careful and wise in how I use the time before me. I do not wish to be deceived into thinking I have lots of time or that it is okay to waste some time as long as I make good use of other bits of time. The believer’s priority is to understand what the Lord’s will is and then use time accordingly.

Jesus had a limited amount of time (33 years) but at the end of it He was able to say to His Father in heaven, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” I suspect that this New Year contains enough time for each of us to complete the work that God has for us. If that is so then wisdom will lead us to understand what the Lord’s will is and use our time in a way that sees His will done.

Time is His gift to us. Let's use it in a way that glorifies Him. Knowing what His will is (and make no mistake part of His will is Sabbath rest so don’t think God is just all work and no play) will direct you in how to use up your time. Using time according to God’s desires will enable you to say with Jesus, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” If God grants us the privilege of seeing this year through to the end let be a year well spent.

Don’t be fooled into thinking, “Here we go again. Its just another year like all the ones before.” This kind of thinking will surely lead you to spend your time in ways that will prove to be unfruitful and wasteful. Rather, join me in making a commitment to discover what the Lord’s will is and then investing time to see it done that we might know the joy and great satisfaction of spending time well and thereby bringing God much glory.