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The Importance Of Time

The importance of time can slip from our grasp as we get caught up in the day-to-day events of life. If we are lost in the trees, we will miss the beauty of the forest. The big picture of life can fade in our struggles.

There are two extremes into which it is easy to fall:

1. We can feel that everything is so necessary that we are crushed by the pressure of having too much to do or needing everything precisely right.

2. We can feel that nothing really matters in the long run—what will be, will be. Why should we bother? Nothing we do will make any real difference anyway.

The verses below give us balance.

”As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. Ps. 103:15-18

The Importance Of Time:
The Big Picture

In response to the first extreme, we remember our "days are like grass." We are only here for a short time. When you look at life in the light of eternity or even in the light of the history of the world, it's very short. This world has existed for about six thousand years and may continue for another six thousand years or more. Burning the dinner won't have a significant impact. What team won the championship will only be another statistic. The dent in the car bumper won't matter.

This helps us put things into perspective even when major disasters happen - being fired, having a death in the family, financial stress, relationship problems, etc. It hurts, no question about it. The situation will have to be dealt with. Tears may be cried. But step back and look at the big picture when you can. God sees your life from beginning to end. Somehow, this is a part of a beautiful picture He is painting. We do not understand how it will look in the end - to us, it may seem all black and ugly - but as we trust in God, we know it will work out for good. The Great Artist is making something beautiful. The painting will be even more glorious if we can praise God and be thankful as we go through challenging situations.

Ready for a bigger picture? God not only sees your life from beginning to end and how every incident fits in, but He also sees how your life - yes, YOUR life - fits into the importance of time in world history that He has been drawing since the dawn of time, and will complete when Jesus returns. Your life has value. God has placed you at this point in time for a reason. He has given you the talents and abilities you have for a purpose. Nothing is by chance.

This also applies to nations and global situations. Because we live in a sinful world, disasters will come, but they have a part to play in the big picture. God is at work, turning them into good in the long run. Looking back through history, you can see good coming out of some great disasters that the people living through them certainly never saw. New life often comes through the pain of childbirth. We can trust that our Sovereign God has everything under control.

The Importance Of Time:
What You Do Matters

In response to the second extreme, it is tempting to think that nothing we do really matters. We can feel that it will all be swallowed up in the cavern of time, lost in the dark hole of history. It can seem that the importance of time and what we do in it is an illusion. Will people 1,000 years from now care that we lived or what we did? Maybe they won’t, but God will. Our actions do count not only in our lives but also in generations to come. If we will follow God, we can leave a legacy of God's blessing for generations that we will never see while we are on this earth. We will have our place in the big picture when God has finished His artwork and time draws to an end. Even if God has given you what seems like an insignificant part, in His eyes, it is not. You are a unique creation designed for a special purpose only you can fulfill. He will keep His covenant and mercy to those who follow after you. One brick at a time, the building rises. You may be surprised in the end. Just live every day faithfully, and after death, you will be able to watch the part you played continue to grow in ways you can’t even dream of now. Don't downplay the importance of time or your place in it.

For more information about Glenn Davis, see our About Glenn page or visit Glenn Davis Books.

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