It’s About Time
The other day I heard a frazzled mom in a restaurant say to her son,”Timmy…does someone need a time-out?” I don’t recall Timmy’s response, but I do remember thinking, “Why didn’t they have time-outs when I grew up?” Seriously. I think “Time-outs” were invented later and definitely not in my neighborhood. When I got in trouble, I heard terms like, “Go get me the belt” or “Boy get over here” and “Wait till your father gets home.” When we were behaving badly, a “Time out” was never one of our options. We were simply…outta time. My only hope was that one of my seven brothers or sisters had done something far worse than what I had done and I was given time…to run.
Time is precious. It’s like a gift you hold right in front of you to open. More precious than all the power or riches in the world, we think about it, discuss it, are driven by it, and need it…but all too often take it for granted. Sometimes we have time on our hands, or you could say we’re killing time. I’ve seen people who always take their time…maybe because they have all the time in the world. These are the people who are usually in front of you at a stop light. In our best moments, it sometimes seems that time flies and when things are tough…well..time stands still.
I’ve been a part of several funerals for dear loved ones this past year. In each instance, perhaps my greatest lesson, somehow wrapped in both joy and pain, is this idea that every moment counts. Every smile, every laugh, every tear, every hug. Every act of kindness, every choice, good or bad, counts. Every second of time is another chance to fulfill your life’s mission…”To know and glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.” We each have 86,400 seconds today to do that. We’re not promised tomorrow.
Just a moment ago, a woman at a table next to me leaned over and said, “Do you know what time it is?” Well that depends. It may be time for her to dance, and time for me to pray. Time for her to run, and time for me to stop. “There’s a time to sow, a time to reap, a time to be born and a time to die. A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Eccl. 3:2-8 What time is it right now for you my friend? Perhaps it’s the time to come back home…to God. Maybe it’s time to let go of the past, or to forgive, or to give thanks. And for some, “Listen, now is really the right time. Now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2
Well, its about that time. Time for Timmy’s time out and maybe yours too. Take some of those 86,400 seconds, turn your gaze to Jesus, thank Him and worship Him. Oh, and tell someone today you love them. Better yet show them. It’s always a good time for that.