24 hours in a day

Why do we value money more highly than time? Money has no limits - there is always the possibility of raising more! But there is no possibility of making more time; there are precisely 24 hours in each day - no more and no less.

This is not to say that there is too little time. God has given us the time he has given us, and who can say that God is wrong? It is we who rush and bustle, who think that time is short, but it is God who accomplishes his every purpose without any rush.

Perhaps this gives a clue as to the cause of our rush. God has given us exactly enough time to do his will, not too little and not too much. But we spend time doing other things, heedless of his will - things we think are important but are of no real consequence. So we squander his gift of time.

There isn't time to do his will and ours; we have to choose.

Don't just do something, stand there!

How much of the time we rush around doing things - seemingly important things - but have no time to stand and stare, to notice what matters and what is going on:

• Life is short; this isn't a rehearsal, you only live once; I'm going to make the most of every second; sleep is for wimps; 24/7 ...
• There's too much to do; if I don't do it no-one will; maximising efficiency; time flies; time is money; bustle and rush; got to get it all done; needs must ...
• I must meet the deadline or they'll kill me; I'm just going to do this before I finish for the day; I'm going to be late back again tonight darling ...
• Yes, you can get me by or phone or email anytime; of course; don't hesitate; no problem ...

We suffer from the illusion that it is up to us to get things done, and if we don't get on with it, then nothing will happen.

It's a lie of the Enemy, a trap - and one that many (particularly in the West) have fallen headlong into.

But actually, before the dawn of time, God was working and speaking the universe into existence. For millennia his purposes were being realised, including making humankind. And long before we rushed around, God was working out his purposes, and he continues to do so day by day - in his unhurried but perfectly-timed way.

The Lord is author and creator of all things.

So I wonder what all this rushing is accomplishing? Keeping us busy? Creating a sense of purpose and direction? Making us feel important or powerful?

Or perhaps, by all our rushing, we are desperately avoiding the thought that actually our lives are meaningless and have no real purpose, that inside we feel small and unimportant.

But if we stopped rushing we would have time to enjoy life with God; we would know that our purpose is to give glory to Him; and that it is only in God that we have any power or direction.

Actually, as God's precious people, we are much too important than to waste our time on so much worthless bustle! And life is far too short to waste it on rushing and meaningless activity. Instead, take time to wonder, to live in awe, to commune with God in prayer, to be alongside others.

So we have a choice. We can foolishly rush around as if it's all up to us - building sandcastles, while trying to ignore the tide which is coming in.

Or we can stand back and take the time to stop and look, to see what God is doing, and having got a Godly perspective, to unhurriedly work alongside Him, building on the rock.