Our lives are governed by time. We have 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week and so on. As a driver, I am bound by the pickup time, delivery time and the time it takes to get to each spot. I also have to deal with time lost for repairs, construction or simply sleeping in. Time is such a critical part of our lives.
This evening I was also reminded how precious time is. I saw my grandma of 87 years, soon to be 88. I know how her time on this earth has been filled with joy, sorrow, success, failure and now in her later years - pain. It is becoming very evident that Grandma's time on this earth is drawing to a close. How soon, I don't know. But the time I have to see her is very precious to her and to me.
Even as I contemplate these elements of time, I am reminded of the Psalmist who writes: "My times are in Your hands." The Psalmist is very much aware that the times he has on this earth are very much controlled by the Lord God Almighty. There is not an aspect of his life that does not go by without the Lord's involvement in it. Whether it is times of joy, happiness, peace, comfort or sorrow, pain, suffering, delay and the like, it is all in the hands of the Lord.
But what about time is extremely critical to us? It is the fact that once it is gone, it cannot be gotten back. How many from 10 years ago would love to have one more second with a loved one who died that day in September 2001? The time is gone. It cannot come back. This is especially true of the time we have on this earth to learn to know and come to faith in the One True God. Once we leave this earth at death, there is no coming back. There is no second chance to get it right. Just as we want to make the most of the the time we have with loved ones, we want to make the most of the time we have in coming to faith. It is just as important for us to make the most of the time we have with those who don't know the Lord. We may only get the one shot, we may get many times, who knows. What I do know is it is vital for all involved for our conversations to be heavenward, pointing to the one who came from heaven for us, died for us and rose again. There will be a time when He comes again and ends all time. So be diligent and purposeful in the use of your time. Make every second count.
