Tag: time

The Grace of Time

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Have you ever thought of the many different ways the grace of God shows up in our lives? Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on His great gift of time?

Time. Oh, how precious it is. For every second that has passed, there will not be another in its place. Once those moments, hours, days, and years are gone, they are gone.

Time is not a reusable commodity. It’s a use-it-while-you-have-it reality.

Therefore, when I think about time, I think of each precious bit that is doled out to us daily, not only as a gift but as God’s grace at work in our lives once again.

The grace of time can present itself in so many ways. Perhaps, it’s found in just the few extra seconds the light stayed green for you during a hectic morning rush. It could be found in the opportunity to hold a dear one a little bit longer. At one point in the Bible, God even graced Joshua and the army of Israel with more time to advance against their enemies by holding the sun and the moon still (Joshua 10:12-13).

But I think the most precious grace of time is seen in the longsuffering of our Heavenly Father. 2 Peter 3:9 shows us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This verse shows us the love in action behind the grace of time. It shows us that our eternal God, who is not bound by the hours on the clock, holding off the final day of judgment for a little while longer to give as many as possible the chance to repent and turn their lives around.

This grace of time isn’t for us to determine when it is done. The judgment of time belongs to the Father. Even Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father,” (Mark 13:32).

To that, He adds, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is,” (Mark 13:33).

How wise it would be for us to take a page from David’s story and acknowledge, “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding,” (1 Chronicles 29:15).

With that being said, Father God, we thank You for this day that you have given us, and we thank You for the grace of time.

“My times are in thy hand . . .” Psalm 31:15

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

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“When You Feel There Aren’t Enough Hours in a Day!”

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Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

Every day we are given is precious.  Every moment is a treasure from heaven.  God perfectly crafted our days in these 24 hours that cycle in and through our lives.  He fashioned each one precisely as a gift to get things done and rest and enjoy life as well.

With that being said, I must wonder why time seems so elusive to most of us?  Why aren’t we able to craftily work each section of the day for our good and still enjoy other pleasures of life that God endowed us with, things that bring the fulfillment of personal joy and happiness (ex. more family time, rest, and so on) that’s supposed to come with it?  Why do we bemoan the idea that there are just not enough hours in the day when God perfectly gave us all we need?

The problem is not with the design of days.  Nor will the problem be solved by adding more increments of time to the day.  The problem is us and how we prioritize and manage this gift of time that God has already given us.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote that we are to redeem the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Everyday opportunities abound to spend the hours of our lives in one way or another.  The choice is always ours on how we use it.  Let’s look at it this way, if we have been given a bunch of money to spend, hopefully, we would sit down and think carefully about how to get the most use out of it.  That same diligence should be applied to our management of time.

The hugest difference between money and time is this: for many, there are usually ways to replenish or re-earn funds to add to one’s finances if money is spent in a reckless fashion.  However, for time, that opportunity is not there.  Once time is gone – it’s gone!  Once the moment passes – it passes off the scene as a part of our personal history.  Therefore, we are encouraged to make the most of every second given.  And, although God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness are new every morning – we are not promised the dawning of a new day.

So, whether it’s mundane, it’s a moment we won’t get back.  Treat it as the treasure it is.  If it seems trivial, remember in the scope of all the days given, it’s a time to be honored.  Even if it seems like the most basic of all days, keep in mind there is nothing basic about the gift of waking up again and being given the chance to make the most of the time you have been gifted with.

When you feel there aren’t enough hours in the day – treasure what you have and be determined to make the most out of what God did give you.  When we do, we can make a better impact for His kingdom and in the lives of those entrusted to our care.  Because no matter how smart our watches become it will always be up to us to make smart use of the time that registers there.

Inspiring Your Time:

“This is the beginning of a new day.  God has given me this day to use it as I will.  I can waste it – or use it for good, but what I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.” – W. Heartstill Wilson

Pray: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

Pray: “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” – Psalm 39:4

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” – Colossians 4:5