The other day I dropped off a cherished timepiece to Bryant & Sons Ltd. in downtown Santa Barbara.
That gold wristwatch dates back a decade or more for service with my employer. Suddenly the timepiece only had the correct time twice a day.
I’m pretty certain it simply needs a new battery, but the jeweler advised the watch was on its way to New York for service, a new leather band and, of course, a new battery.
As you can imagine, this company gift was quite expensive. (Note: My watch is back on my wrist and it’s working splendidly!)
Now I must admit I frequently do look down at my left wrist out of sheer habit. So, our silly sensitivity to time seems a worthwhile topic for discussion.
The salesman quickly quipped that all I need do is simply check the time on my smart phone. That’s true, but I’d much rather look at my left wrist.
We’ve come a long way since the time of day was observed on sundials. Time is elusive and can easily slip through our hands.
Here’s my take on time. In my opinion, it’s our greatest commodity — more precious than silver and gold.
Our Lord has placed us in a time continuum for His purpose. We always seem to be in a rush these days.
There never seems to be enough time to accomplish the tasks we want to accomplish in a given day.
No one knows how much time remains. Our time starts with our first breath and heartbeat at birth, and will cease with our final breath and heartbeat at death!
As a Christian businessman, I often find myself turning to these sobering words from James 4:13-14: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry out business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
That’s not saying we are insignificant. After all, we are God’s greatest creation for which I thank Him every morning for my life and wonderful provision.
Now there’s much to say about punctuality, but we can easily stress over completing tasks on our time schedule or setting expectations for others that may be a bit unreasonable.
God may actually keep us from completing certain projects that seem critical to us. Yet our Lord wants us to hold off and await His perfect timing for His purpose in the lives of others.
One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 60:22. Here are the words of the prophet regarding what lies ahead for God’s chosen people:
“The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.”
Now let me leave you with one last thought. Isn’t it about time for you to surrender and follow the Creator of All?
Eternity awaits those who submit to His timeless call!