Tag: passage of time

4:13

My husband and I spent last week suffering from the flu. We slept– a lot! And we woke up at odd times, day and night, with coughing fits, getting medication, etc., only to fall back to sleep in minutes. One such time, I woke up and looked at the bedside clock– 4:13 a.m.

But the numbers stood out to me, not as a reminder that it was the early part of a new day, but as a reminder of a Bible verse– Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me”(KJV).

Growing up, we attended a small country church, and every summer, I attended Vacation Bible School, where we got points and prizes for memorizing certain verses. I also joined my mother in participating in a Bible memorization program sponsored by our church. We memorized entire passages and chapters, as well as several key verses, like the one above. I say all this, not to brag about myself, my mother, or our church, but to testify to the power of memorizing scripture– especially when one is young. It’s been nearly 50 years since we did the program, and I don’t remember all the verses we studied. But often, in moments when I’m not even thinking clearly, those sacred words are still stored away in my heart and mind. Something as simple as a clock’s numerals can unlock the truth of scripture. I was certainly not rehearsing Scripture’s promises as I woke up nauseous and achy, but three numbers were enough to give me a lifeline of hope!

Did I feel as though I could “do all things” at 4:13 in the morning as I fled to the bathroom? Not a bit. But I took great comfort in the remembering that I can do all things “through Christ, who gives me strength (NIV)” I can trust HIM for healing, and that He will be present even when– especially when– I have no strength of my own.

Later in the day, reflecting on the way that just a few numbers can redirect my thoughts to God’s promises, I remembered other “timely” hints. I’ll leave just a few here below:

  • 1:03– 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
  • 1:09– Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
  • 3:23– Lamentations 3:23 “They (Your mercies/Your compassions) are new every morning’.; Great is your faithfulness.”
  • 4:18–Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
  • 4:19– 1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
  • 5:25– Galatians 5:25 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
  • 6:33– Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
  • 8:28–Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
  • 9:25– Luke 9:25 “ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
  • 10:10– John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
  • 11:01– Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
  • 11:25– John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”
  • 12:12– Romans 12:12 “ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
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But Not Yet…

I really need to go on that diet.
I really should call my Aunt Kay.
I need an hour of peace and quiet.
And time to sit and pray.

But I’m scrolling through Facebook.
I’m following the news.
I just need another look;
This meme has so many views..

I should greet that new couple at church.
I should make them feel at home.
But I need a cup of coffee first.
And my hair should be re-combed.

My Bible waits by my chair–
Unread these past four days.
Later, I know it will still be there–
Ready to catch my gaze

Tomorrow, or the next day.
God will understand.
I want to follow His Way,
But this wasn’t what I planned.

I got caught up in a magazine
I stopped to shoot the breeze–
My house is needing to be cleaned
Before I get on my knees.

I “had to,” “should have,” “had a mind”
To spend time with God, and yet
My day’s flown past, and now I find
I’ve only time to fret.

“Not yet” was my sad refrain
“Not yet” kept me on the go.
“Not yet” robbed me once again
Of time spent with One who loves me so.

And so my day was filled and rife
With wasted time and small regrets.
I missed the more abundant life
Of trust grown from obedience.

The internet will still be there
Tomorrow and the next day;
But the trust built up in an hour of prayer
Can never be taken away.

Today may be busy with “urgent” needs and countless distractions. But there will only be one “today” to meet with God– in prayer, Bible study, meditation, and worship. What is my priority today? Even if I can’t “find” an entire hour in my busy schedule, have I made a plan and a priority to meet with God? Am I searching for opportunities to serve Him and encourage others, or am I too busy searching for my own entertainment and fulfillment? What are the empty things in my life that I should be telling, “Not yet?”

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The Longest Day

Today is the Summer Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the “longest day” of the year. However, today will have exactly the same number of minutes and hours as any other day. The difference is the amount of sunlight/daylight hours, as opposed to hours of night/darkness. And even this varies by where we live in relation to the equator. Those who live close to the equator will see little difference today– those near the North Pole will not see the sun dip below the horizon at all.

In some ways, today is NOT the longest day of my year. One of the longest days for me so far this year was the day my mother died. Even though it was February, when the days are “short,” that day was filled with questions, emotions, and obligations. Time seemed to stand still for a while, as we took in the reality that she had left us to go Home, and then time seemed to expend for all the aftermath of death. Who needed to be called and contacted? What would we need to do in the coming days and weeks to plan a funeral, notify authorities, pay bills and close accounts, etc.? How would we notify family and friends without “missing” someone? Each tick of the clock seemed to bring new thoughts and emotions.

I was thinking about time recently. We are still busy cleaning up Mom’s house and settling her estate. Days seem to pass quickly now, as we have deadlines, and much work to keep us busy. I’m glad for the extended daylight hours, but I’m also tired! Most days– even longer days!– I feel like I’m falling behind. And I find many hours are “wasted” on unimportant things; inconsequential things. Will I spend my time today any differently or more efficiently than any of the “shorter” days to come?

The Bible says a lot about time. (https://www.openbible.info/topics/time) We are creatures bound by time. We have a beginning and an end; we have a limited life span. And we do not know those limits. We cannot break the bonds of time to live longer lives, or to live our lives in the distant past or future. That is the “stuff” of science fiction and daydreams. We cannot bargain for more time, whether we are thirty and diagnosed with cancer or ALS or another terminal illness, or we are ninety-two and long to reach our centennial birthday. Even our individual days are dictated by the march of time. We cannot live our days backward. We cannot stop the clock or stretch out a certain hour over any other. Instead, we must make the most of every minute; every day that we are given.

But we were not created just for one short lifespan. Our bodies will wear out and die, but our spirits were created for eternity. There will be no “longest” or “shortest” days in Heaven or Hell. There will be no sunsets, no endings or “do-overs”, no deadlines. For the Christian, this is a great comfort. My Mom has said her last “Goodbye.” She never has to worry about deadlines, unfinished tasks, or “putting off until tomorrow..” My grieving is over a temporary loss; a brief “au revoir”, rather than a gaping chasm of eternal separation.

But there will be a very different “longest day” for those who do not choose Christ in this life. And that day will be one of endless darkness, endless despair. There will be no sunrise, no rest, no refreshment or renewal, no “tomorrow.” Today, I pray that we would “number our days” in this life (Psalm 90:12), and put them to good use. I pray that I would reflect God’s love to those who are living in the shadow of that endless darkness. I pray that the Holy Spirit might shine a light (through me and through others) that would draw people to Him.

There will be many hours of light today, but the days will grow shorter. The seasons remind us that time on Earth is fickle and fleeting. May we live wisely in this “longest” day of the year!

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