Time for God
Paul gives us a
straight-forward command when he says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as
to the Lord and not to men[1]”.
When we spend too much time browsing Pinterest, Facebook or YouTube, are we
using our time effectively in the service of God? How much time do we spend
following human pursuits rather than Godly aspirations? Consider the amount of
time we, especially in our youth, spend seeking after worldly pleasures such as
playing addictive computer games or watching movies, showing off our “latest
and greatest” gadgets or toning our bodies, and how much time we spend in the
shops, watching sport or drinking and partying.
Now I am not saying
that we shouldn’t go to the gym, or have a party, or buy gadgets. No, but often
these things become a waste of time because we don’t use them in the right way,
as they begin to rule our life. I hope to explain these practical aspects later
in more detail. But what we need to keep in mind is that we are called to “glorify
God in (our) body and in (our) spirit, which are God’s”[2].
Our whole lives belong to God. What is our motive for doing things in life?
Are we trying to be the best for men, or striving to do the best for God?
If we spend our time following
after our own desires, making people
happy with us, it naturally follows that we do not spend our time in the
service of God. Our created purpose
is to serve Him, for His glory[3].
So when He gives us time, we are called to use it wisely, because we have a
purpose for being on this earth!
Looking beyond time to the eternal
There are many times
when the world will mock us because of our use of time, and when to us the cost
of discipleship may seem very high. If we think about the amount of time we
spend on specifically God-centred activities the hours add up quickly (a whole
Sunday, Bible study club, family and personal devotions, etc.). But when we
take away our earthly perspective, and instead look to the eternal life that
awaits us, then, in thankfulness, our discipleship isn’t so pricey.
We have a great
comfort in this life that when we do all things for God, it will not be in
vain. God’s promises are real and eternal, and therefore we can look beyond
this life, to when time will be no more. Because of God’s promises, and His work
in us, we can confess that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”[4].
Our God is not bound
or limited by time. “The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD sits as
King forever”[5]. The
time we have, however long or short
it may be, is for the praise of our eternal LORD. The time of Christ’s return
is near[6],
so as saints, called to glorify God, let us use our time wisely, “eagerly
waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you
to the end.” [7]
From Always to Never
Now that I have
outlined generally how we must use our time from a Biblical perspective, I
would like to discuss some of the practical ways this can affect our lives. I
have already mentioned some examples, but I feel that there is more to be said
in the application of what God says about time, and how we can perhaps change
our lives to use our time more effectively in His service.
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