How Important is Time?

Take a moment right now to stop and think: The time we have on earth is truly a precious resource. Life is a training ground for eternity; an opportunity to put into practice what we learn. Paul is our example: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16) One way to view life is that we are God’s appointed foreign exchange students. What will we do each moment? At first, we’re not really comfortable with many things. Dangers and the unknown make us uneasy in this foreign land as His ambassador. Yet God teaches that He is our strength and wisdom in all matters, which enables us to develop a reliance on Him to become strong and more resilient to suffer through difficulty. Our tendency is to exalt and focus on the things we fear around us. Exalt Him, and things above. This is the replacement principle in action. We are not to be “conformed to this world,” but instead, “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

We do not need to be afraid to make errors as we press toward the mark; mistakes and problems are to be expected. God has designed it so that we will learn from them as we walk by faith: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Actually, a mistake has the potential to teach us what to do and what to avoid as we apply the doctrine in the details of life. It is not to be avoided but embraced. God’s ways provide us with a new perspective to realize there is no failure, just opportunities to grow. He deals with us in grace: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

As we are open to learn, we use our time to become a sponge, accessing God’s ways, His wisdom, and power to negotiate challenges. “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (I Timothy 6:19) Keep eternity in view to use your time with wisdom. What a glorious opportunity to live in His stead on earth.