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.
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time. Show all posts
Monday, 7 May 2012
Thursday, 19 May 2011
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:
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.
- 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.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Which time-zone do you live in?
Some people seem to live in the moment, neither looking back much nor thinking further ahead than this evening. They enjoy each moment without a care about what comes next. No big plans or 'smart' goals; but alive to each encounter, savouring each impression, feeling each pain.
Then there are those who are future-oriented. They may be young people impatiently waiting for 'real' life to begin, or adults rushing on to the next goal, with plans for the future which need to be worked on and with no time to linger in the present. The past is gone and cannot be changed, the present is merely groundwork for a future which beckons. Their identity is not properly visible, for they live in their plans and what is yet to be.
Others live in the past, holding proudly to past accomplishments, or unable to let go of past mistakes and regrets. Their identity is what they have already been or done. The present is to enjoy their accomplishments or torture themselves over past failures, their future just more of the same. They may be old, feeling that life has already happened; looking back and waiting to die, existing, not living. But they may be young and afraid of the future, unable to move ahead, fearing the black hole of the unknown ahead.
Which time-zone do you mainly live in?
There are joys and pitfalls in each...
There is something good about remembering and enjoying our past accomplishments. And it is right to stop and admit, even weep over our past failings. Yet there can be a devilish deceit in living primarily in the past - for it encompasses pride for past achievements, or denies the possibility of Jesus' forgiveness for past sins; and it further implies that God has nothing more for us to do. On all three counts, this is false.
There’s something valuable about living in the present and those who live with a future-orientation too quickly dismiss it, underestimating the importance of treasuring each passing moment and living life to the full. And yet … the real risk for those who live entirely in the moment is that they meander aimlessly through life achieving little of lasting significance. And here, perhaps, a deceit of the Enemy is laid bare: “pursue happiness now”; “don’t worry about the future”. How well these comforting messages fit into our modern western world-view!
And there is also something good about looking to the future, setting a course and striving to achieve it. Yet there may be a deceit here too: "One day you will be somebody", while actually achieving nothing of consequence, not even being fully alive to the moment. It can be an avoidance of the present, or it may be dreaming a pipe-dream. It also contains a common deception, in thinking that the future is ours to plan - for God alone holds our future in his hands.
God’s attitude to time seems to be different to all these. He manages to have both a ‘grand plan’ stretching from before the beginning of time until eternity and yet to also be totally present in the moment. There’s no aimless wandering here; he has a very clear purpose. He is not side-tracked or distracted; his purpose will be accomplished. And yet he also has time to linger and make meaningful every brief encounter, time to address each fleeting concern that we take to him, time to enjoy each sunrise and smile, time to share our hurts and disappointments, and time to be alongside us in our despair.
But, we may say, God has a unique advantage when it comes to time, being eternal and all that. Yes - and no. Though our earthly lives have but a brief span set by God, he has nonetheless set the pattern for us.
So let us also pray that the Lord would help us to remember what he has done in the past and to give him the glory, while relinquishing our past failings into his forgiving hands; to live every unrushed moment fully with him, redeeming it for his eternal purpose; and to hold unswervingly to his call on our lives until we reach our eternal heavenly destination.
Then there are those who are future-oriented. They may be young people impatiently waiting for 'real' life to begin, or adults rushing on to the next goal, with plans for the future which need to be worked on and with no time to linger in the present. The past is gone and cannot be changed, the present is merely groundwork for a future which beckons. Their identity is not properly visible, for they live in their plans and what is yet to be.
Others live in the past, holding proudly to past accomplishments, or unable to let go of past mistakes and regrets. Their identity is what they have already been or done. The present is to enjoy their accomplishments or torture themselves over past failures, their future just more of the same. They may be old, feeling that life has already happened; looking back and waiting to die, existing, not living. But they may be young and afraid of the future, unable to move ahead, fearing the black hole of the unknown ahead.
Which time-zone do you mainly live in?
There are joys and pitfalls in each...
There is something good about remembering and enjoying our past accomplishments. And it is right to stop and admit, even weep over our past failings. Yet there can be a devilish deceit in living primarily in the past - for it encompasses pride for past achievements, or denies the possibility of Jesus' forgiveness for past sins; and it further implies that God has nothing more for us to do. On all three counts, this is false.
There’s something valuable about living in the present and those who live with a future-orientation too quickly dismiss it, underestimating the importance of treasuring each passing moment and living life to the full. And yet … the real risk for those who live entirely in the moment is that they meander aimlessly through life achieving little of lasting significance. And here, perhaps, a deceit of the Enemy is laid bare: “pursue happiness now”; “don’t worry about the future”. How well these comforting messages fit into our modern western world-view!
And there is also something good about looking to the future, setting a course and striving to achieve it. Yet there may be a deceit here too: "One day you will be somebody", while actually achieving nothing of consequence, not even being fully alive to the moment. It can be an avoidance of the present, or it may be dreaming a pipe-dream. It also contains a common deception, in thinking that the future is ours to plan - for God alone holds our future in his hands.
God’s attitude to time seems to be different to all these. He manages to have both a ‘grand plan’ stretching from before the beginning of time until eternity and yet to also be totally present in the moment. There’s no aimless wandering here; he has a very clear purpose. He is not side-tracked or distracted; his purpose will be accomplished. And yet he also has time to linger and make meaningful every brief encounter, time to address each fleeting concern that we take to him, time to enjoy each sunrise and smile, time to share our hurts and disappointments, and time to be alongside us in our despair.
But, we may say, God has a unique advantage when it comes to time, being eternal and all that. Yes - and no. Though our earthly lives have but a brief span set by God, he has nonetheless set the pattern for us.
So let us also pray that the Lord would help us to remember what he has done in the past and to give him the glory, while relinquishing our past failings into his forgiving hands; to live every unrushed moment fully with him, redeeming it for his eternal purpose; and to hold unswervingly to his call on our lives until we reach our eternal heavenly destination.
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