WHAT TIME IS IT

I remember listening to the rock group “Chicago” as they sang: “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?” Risking being accused of having a “rock band theology” I think those are pretty good questions to ask. Do you know what time it is? Do you really care?

It’s in Ecclesiastes 3 that we read words that may have also been more familiar to those of us who grew up in the 60’s, as the words from the song “Turn, turn, turn” by the Byrds.  “To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven; A time to be born and a time to die.” In other words, there's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth. So, while there is chronological time measured in hours, minutes, days, etc., there is also opportune time, or perfect and ideal time.

Many of us try to live life in chronological time…we complain we don’t have enough time to go to church,… or to read their Bible,… or to spend time with family,… or to accomplish their lifetime dreams. But, the reality is, we all have the same amount of time each day to accomplish what needs to be done. The difficulty is not in a shortage of time; it is rather a shortage of motivation, desire, and discipline to use our time wisely. More importantly, our lives are not just measured by how long we live. Every life will be measured by what we filled our time in life doing. Time in life is measured by the relationships established,… the love given,… and the impact made for God,…for good in our culture,… and eternity. Because, the way we use the time God gives us clearly reveals our values, our creativity, our focus, our maturity (or lack of maturity) and our self-discipline to prioritize and to fulfill those priorities. That is the recognizing of the opportune, perfect, ideal time. 

Chronological time is slipping away from each of us. “A time to be born; a time to die.” Maybe today is the ideal time…the perfect time…to reestablish God as first place in your soul, time and life.

“Thank you God for this brief time I have to live life on this planet, building relationships, and giving and receiving love. And, thank you that You…at the perfect time…sent Your Son as the redeeming sacrifice for my sins. Amen”