A Right Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

My family usually takes an annual vacation where we hit the road and drive to a popular vacation spot. No matter what time of year we go, it’s crowded. People there are trying to make life count, and I really like that. They aren’t waiting around for anything or anybody; they are golfing, eating, playing tennis, fishing, swimming, and making family memories.

Life is too precious to spend it in shopping malls and all you can eat buffets. Life is short, and even so, God promises that there is a right time for everything.

I’ve seen a lot of people in their final hours, and many of them wanted more time. But we only have one life, and if we follow God and His Word, one is enough.

Time is mysterious. We say it’s precious. We try to make the most of it and never seem to have enough of it. Sometimes we say that time flies, and at other times we say it stands still. We read books and attend seminars that teach us how to manage time, and by setting our watches ten minutes ahead, we attempt to create time. But there is more to life than time.

When I was a lot younger, I thought I had time to burn. I was impatient and really didn’t take time to notice what was really important. I have since learned that many of the important things in life just don’t happen right away. The time I spend living for God will help me in the future; loving God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength will help me.

We have to make the most of our time. I could easily blend into some church somewhere, preach and teach a little and play some music. I have time to do that, but I would not be making the most of my time. See then that ye walk circumspectly; not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time because the days are evil Ephesians 5: 15-16.

Time is life, and when people take up your time, they are taking up your life. We only have a limited amount of time, and when it’s gone, we don’t want to look back and regret the way we have used it.

The time given to us is a gift of God’s grace. It is used to measure how well we manage our lives. We have no time to waste. When we have the opportunity to do good and waste it, that’s wrong (See James 4:17).

Worrying is wasting time and wasting life. Fretting over past mistakes that you’ve repented over is a waste. Wasting time trying to get even with someone that mistreated you; wasting time thinking about telling somebody off; wasting time gossiping, being mad, trying to please everybody or trying to be someone that you are not. Wasting time is wrong.

We cannot save time or create time. We can only invest out time into something noble or godly.

Time does not wait on us to get ready for anything. It doesn’t consider that we are having a bad day. It doesn’t hold on, slow down, back up or come back. It doesn’t wait on us to catch our breath. It keeps moving ahead at full speed disregarding our plans and priorities.

It was appointed unto men once to die; after that, the judgment Hebrews 9:27. The day is coming when we will all face God. Mom and dad won’t be the judge. We won’t judge ourselves. There is One Judge, and He is not at all hard to please. He wants our whole heart.

I have a palm computer. I bought it mainly because I like gadgets, but there was a remote hope in my mind somewhere that it would help me manage my time more efficiently. These devices are a good thing, but they are secondary.

The real issue is that we do whatever is necessary to get the most out of our life. No matter how well we manage our time, a day will come when we will have no more time to do anything else.

On my job, my bosses are always adding more things for me to do when I’m barely able to finish what I already have to do. They want to get as much work out of me as possible. That forces me to prioritize and utilize my time in the best way possible so that my boss will be pleased. Instead of being mad at them, I should thank them. That’s the way I need to manage life issues anyway.

It’s funny though how the hard worker gets more to do and the sluggard gets by barely doing anything.

I want my life to matter. I don’t want to just write a bunch of articles and preach a few sermons. I want my life to mean something.

What matters most to you? Jesus said that if we seek the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, all these things will be added. Yes, Satan will oppose us, distract us, and discourage us. But he cannot stop us. I’m running hard to the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me. I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else about it and missing out myself 1 Corinthians 6: 26-27 MSG.

We can waste our life waiting for someday; someday when I graduate; when I get a better job; when I get my bills paid off; when the kids grow up; when I retire. Today is someday. Today is the day to trust God for great things. Today is the day to take God’s promises seriously.

By: Edmund Brown