Is Time Your God?
Ps 145:15-17 "The eyes of
all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper
time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every
living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and
loving toward all he has made." NIV Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org
I have been made aware that time plays an important role in
my life. Sometimes a too important role, as it sometimes
interfere in my relationship with God. Let me explain
myself.
Did you notice that when Jesus had moved into our
neighbourhood 2000 years ago, He always had time for others?
Never once do you hear Him say: "I am sorry, I don't have
the time for this." He never ever sent someone away
empty-handed. He gave His full attention to the person who
was in front of Him, whether he was a tax collector, a Roman
soldier, a diseased person or a disciple. It didn't matter
who you were, Jesus had time for you.
Jesus approached life as a series of moments, unlike we, who
approach life as a unit of time, a sequence of moments. You
see, Jesus was not controlled by time. He didn't let time
control Him. His approach was to live life to the glory of
God and let God guide Him moment by moment through the
series' of events. We, instead, let time manipulate us. Its
sequence of unchanging units controls our actions. Because
Jesus approached life as a series of moments, He had the
opportunity to see where God was at work! John 5:19-20 "I
tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he
can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever
the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the
Son and shows him all he does." NIV
And you know what is so amazing about this? Although he
wasn't living life as a sequence of moments, He accomplished
every single one of His objectives. Although He never
hurried anywhere, He was able to fulfill his complete
agenda! Just before His arrest, He pronounced those powerful
words: John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth by
completing the work you gave me to do. " NIV On the
cross He confirmed this by saying John 19:30 "It is
finished." NIV
Now, why do I even want to continue to live according to the
pressures of time? When I live my life as a sequence of
moments, I often (if not most of the time) have no time for
interruptions. I have work to accomplish! If a child needs
help to find a book, look it up on the computer system. If a
colleague is facing a discouraging day, well, so what? Don't
we all?
By living my life like this, I miss all the opportunities to
join God where He is at work. My prayers are useless as
well, because when God is in the process of answering them,
I usually see His answers as interruptions! Remember I have
no time!
By living like this, am I really able to complete all of my
work? When I will be on my death bed, will I be able to say
like Jesus: John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth
by completing the work you gave me to do." NIV The
amazing part of this all, is that I end up completing much
less work than if I was treating time like Jesus did. Living
under time has robbed me from what I was intended to do.
Instead of a blessing, I am often a curse to others! Time
has become my god and has chained me into it's tyrannic
service.
What can be done? I can continue the way I am, only to
regret living that way. I can try to resist time with my own
will power, only to realize that its grip is much stronger
than I anticipated. The only solution is to give up this
false god and invite Jesus to help me be victorious in this
and to live more like Him. Only then will the time grasp be
broken in my life and it's tyranny be put to an end.
1 John 5:4-5 "For everyone born of God overcomes the
world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even
our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God." NIV
John 8:31-32 "If you hold to my teaching, you are really
my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free." NIV
What choice will you make my friend?
Do you take time to sharpen your spiritual life? Do you take
the time to find out more about our awesome God? It will
make a difference in your life, believe me.
In His love,