The Deception of Time

Seconds. Minutes. Hours. Days. Weeks. Months. Years.

Man has learned to so manage time that we believe we are the masters of it, as if somehow by meticulous planning we can manipulate time to our will. This stems from the idea that time is a thing and that any “thing” can be controlled with the right guidelines and boundaries.  Don’t misunderstand, we should plan and schedule time to the best of our ability. However, time is not a thing, it is an event. And the culmination of time is simply one event following another. 

No man is immune to the effects of time. Try as we might, time will eventually get the best of all men. 

Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” There is coming a day in all our lives when time will get the best of us and we will succumb to its effects. Death is the natural end of our time on earth. 

Now, here is the deception of time. That we have all the time that we need or want before that day comes.  

The truth is none of us know what time we have. 

James 4:14 – “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Proverbs 27:1 – “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” 

Allow me to give you three things that will help us be better stewards of the time we have:

• First, VISIT THE PAST, BUT DON’T LIVE THERE. The past is full of memories, some good, some bad. Whatever the case, don’t spend all your time thinking and dwelling on the past. Doing so will be detrimental to your life in the present. We cannot change the past or relive it; so visit, just don’t stay long.
• Second,  BE FULLY ENGAGED IN THE PRESENT. In other words, make the most of the time you have right now. Because tomorrow is not promised, we must use today to make a difference, to encourage a friend, to let our loved ones know how much we love them, to fulfill God’s will in our lives, to leave good memories for our families and friends. Keep in mind these things won’t happen on their own, it is something that has to be done on purpose.
• Lastly, PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE. We don’t know what time we have or what events may take place but it does not mean we should sit back and wait for it to happen. Do your best to plan and prepare for tomorrow. If tomorrow becomes today, you’ll be able to make the most of it only if you plan to!

The best preparation for the future is to trust Jesus Christ for salvation and have your eternity settled in Heaven!