Month: August 2021

Have you ever noticed how time brings change, yet some things always remain the same?

For example, the daily ritual of the Earth’s rotation on its axis, while simultaneously orbiting around the sun, does little to change our surroundings apart from bringing light and darkness to the sky. Depending on the Earth’s stage in its orbit, we experience different seasons that bring forth all kinds of weather conditions. You may also have noticed that apart from the date on the calendar, whether it’s a record of days, months, or years, our world in general doesn’t really change that much in regard to its longstanding terms of existence.

It was the great physicist Albert Einstein himself who once stated that “Time is an illusion.” As it turns out, there is much truth behind his statement, since we know from the Scriptures that God exists outside of time, and is not subject to all the same circumstances that humans are on Earth. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) God is self existent and eternal, and can remember the very first day of Creation just as vividly as He can foresee the last day of Earth’s destruction. With this knowledge, He is worthy to be the infallible, perfect, holy Judge of all mankind on the final Judgement Day. That last fact can be a huge comfort to us, or a major concern, depending on the state of our hearts. For now, let’s focus on why it’s important to be aware of the essence of time.

1. Every second of our lives counts in God’s eyes.
   

From the moment we were conceived in God’s creative thoughts, to the moment of our physical conception, to the moment of our final breath, God is highly concerned with everything that pertains to us and our lives. No matter what we have been told by people on Earth, society’s lies, or negative ideas from ourselves, we ARE important to God in spite of our sinful nature. We are put on this planet for a reason, and only God Himself knows the divine purpose of our lives and all the things that will bring us to “an expected end.” Because man’s life is but a vapor compared to God’s eternal existence, everything we do, think, and say matters to Him during the brief time we are allowed to be a part of His divine Creation. Therefore, we are expected by Him to not waste the opportunities He gives us to serve Him and be a blessing to others.

2. Since we are created in God’s image, time is directly affected by our free will of choice.

It does not matter HOW many days pass by on the calendar; what has been done in the past cannot be undone, and has tangible effects on the world around us. People who think that their actions have no consequences are fooling themselves through willful deception, since all of our choices have a ripple effect on everyone else in our lives. A new month or year on the calendar is NOT going to change what’s been done in the past, or erase the circumstances that the choices of people from previous years have created. Since God gave us the gift of free will, and the knowledge of right and wrong, we can use our independent thoughts and choices to make decisions that please Him, or please ourselves. However, this does not change the fact that we WILL reap what we sow, whether good or bad. God is NOT mocked, by anyone. He is no respecter of persons. Therefore, it is crucial that we make choices that glorify Him and show love to others to the best of our ability every single day, not just when we feel like it or when we think it benefits us personally.

3. Because God exists outside of time, He does not forget about us or what the years have brought us.

That thing that matters to you more than anything else? It matters to God. “Why?” you may ask. Because God loves us, and everything that concerns our well being is something that He is deeply interested and invested in. While He wants us to be aware that He comes first before all else, He also wants us to know that He cares more for the details and circumstances of our lives than we will ever realize. Even if we feel like the days and years keep passing before we have a chance to catch our breath, we will still be important to God no matter what events occur in our lives. Just because a number changes on your phone’s lock screen or a page of a calendar doesn’t automatically invalidate anything you experience in life. It will ALWAYS be important to God… ALWAYS.

Now that we are aware of the importance of the essence of time, we can live our lives more intentionally to please God.

Because our time on Earth is limited, we must be extremely careful with how we choose to spend our lives. Our actions not only affect our lives, but countless others also, regardless of what we might think. Most importantly, we must always be conscious of the fact that our earthly actions will resonate into eternity, determining our destiny long after we die someday. While this idea is indeed sobering, it should also give us a sense of purpose to make the most of what God has given us in His grace. Do not let the date on the calendar scare you – God knows all, sees all, and remembers all, and He’s holding you in the palm of His hand.

– Gloria D. Hopkins