A taster article from the March 2010 edition of the magazine:
It’s about time
TIME with God is different from man’s experience: “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). We, on the other hand, are bounded by time and mark our existence in days, weeks, months and years. As we get older we realise a lifetime is just a short space in time which is quickly gone (Psalm 90:5,6).
Paul exhorts us to “walk circumspectly … redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:15,16). In other words, we are to make the most of our time. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. What do we do with our time? Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” rather than spending time on self. At the age of twelve he was “about (his) Father’s business”. He was found among those who were discussing the scriptures in the temple. He made the most of his time.
God wants us for his kingdom! “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The time will come when God will discern between those who are busy with the things of the coming kingdom and those who are busy with the things of self.
“Redeeming the time”
For us, time will come to an end. We tend to think we shall go on living. What would happen if we had a terminal illness and learned we had only one year to live? What would we do with that time? The trivial things of life, which can seem so important and occupy so much of our time, would be brought into proper perspective. Maybe we would take a trip and visit friends or family; do what we’ve always planned to do. We would probably also make preparations for our demise. Time passes and now we only have one month to live. Not much time is left. Our health is failing; time is precious; we want each day to count. We no longer concern ourselves with the trivia of life. Rather, we prepare earnestly to meet the Lord.
Now we have just one day to live: time to say our goodbyes, to hug and hold our loved ones and to leave last messages for them to remember. What would we do in that day if we just had one day to live?
Look at the Lord’s last day. He wanted to spend it with those he loved. Luke says, “When the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (22:14,15). He leaves them with some last instructions to remember: “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (verses 19,20). The disciples did not know it was Jesus’ last day to live and would only appreciate his words after his resurrection. Jesus was concerned for them, not himself. He denied himself totally and he invites us to take up our cross each day and follow him (Luke 9:23). If we do, then each day must be lived as if it was our last. We need to get things into perspective and determine what is eternal and what is transient, and strive after the things of God.
Our time is fast running out. Our opportunity to prepare for the Lord’s return is fast diminishing. How are we going to use this precious time? Are we going to squander it striving after the things of this world, or are we going to follow the example of the Lord who was busy about the things of God? It will soon be too late; the judge will be here.
As we recall our Lord’s example, let us pray, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”.
