What does God say about Time?
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:14
The older I get, the more I realize how quickly time passes by. There is never enough time in a day. Some days we wish would slow down to enjoy them more and other days we wish would fly by so that the suffering may pass by more quickly. Some past things we wish we could forget and some future things we wish we could know. Time matters and God has a lot to say about it..
Time Is Controlled. God is in control, “he changes times and seasons” (Daniel 2:21). He is “the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). He has existed from eternity past and transcends and controls time through eternity future. One day Jesus will return, and although we do not know the day or hour, we are called to always be prepared for that exciting time!
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8 ESV)
Time Flies. Time flies when we are having fun. But time still passes by quickly in those difficult seasons. “Carpe Diem” is a Latin phrase often used to express the importance of making the most of our days. Although God is in control of time, we have responsibility not to waste the days we are given!
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Time Matters. We all have seasons of life, and each season matters. We may have different responses, purposes, and approaches to each season, but we need to make the most of them!
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Time Can Be Wasted. We are warned of the danger of “idleness.” We must steward well the time God has given us. Time is something that cannot be regained once it has passed. Although our energies and abilities may diminish with age, we should not ignore our increasing spiritual growth, keeping our minds “set on things above” where our eternity lies in Christ!
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Time Can Be Understood. Although things around us seem to be in a contact state of flux, we can be wise to the times and adapt to best know what to do. It may be easy to dismiss the relative crazy changes we see, but the souls within the craziness matter deeply to Jesus. May we seek God’s divine understanding and wisdom, so that we can shine Jesus’ bright light into the world around us!
“Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chronicles 12:32)