Always in a Rush: Part Two

God Gives us Time

Everything we have, including time, comes from the hand of our heavenly Father. Each time we wake up in the morning, God is giving us another day for His service. We go to sleep at night expecting that we’ll hear our alarm clock go off in the morning, and that we’ll be able to carry out the plans we have for the day. But have you ever stopped to notice that our almighty God is giving us a new day? He controls His creation in such a perfect way that the sun rises and a new day dawns[1]- and each time this happens, God is providing us with more time.

Infinite God created time, for His creation has a beginning[2], and He determined the measurements of the earth[3]. Creation is limited by time, and we also know that our time, as humans on this earth, is in God’s hands[4]. We don’t know how many days we have, but we do know this: “When (man) dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him”[5]. So, if God is giving us limited time and opportunities, how are we using them?

The way we use our time must be founded on what we believe. To quote Philip Ryken: “What we believe shapes the way we live. And the way we live inevitably reveals our fundamental convictions about God, the world that he has made, and our place in it”[6]. God owns us, and we are His creatures, created and placed on Earth to praise and glorify Him. So in everything we do, in the time God graciously grants us, we should seek to honour Him above all else.

Time for Service

Having been saved from sin, we have become “slaves of God”[7]. We are God’s servants, as we belong to Him. In all our planning and actions we are called to serve. Christ is our greatest example in becoming a servant, and we are called to follow Him[8]. Is the way we use our time accurately reflecting our calling to be servants?

At the same time as being servants, we may experience the blessings of being His children, including within the family of faith. And so we are also called to serve one another[9]. How much time or effort do you put in to help others? Are you willing to spend time listening to someone who is struggling, or take the time to mutually encourage others in their walk of faith? God calls us to serve in His church, and to follow Christ’s example in caring for each other.

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[1] Job 38:12

[2] Genesis 1:1

[3] Job 38:5

[4] Psalm 31:15

[5] Psalm 49:16

[6] Philip Ryken, My Father’s World, 2002, p13

[7] Romans 6:22

[8] John 12:26

[9] Galatians 5: 13

Always in a Rush: Part One

Time from a Biblical Perspective

I mutter a quick prayer, grab my keys, and head out the door. My phone rings, and one quick look at the screen gives enough reason to let it go unanswered. I unlock my car, throw my laptop bag into the passenger side, and slide onto the driver’s seat. I look at my watch, swear under my breath, and jam the accelerator down. As I munch on a muesli bar, I run my fingers through my hair, and try to make my pants look half ironed. I desperately hope for green lights and no cop cars; at least then I might be able to have a coffee before my 8am clock-on time. Thirty seconds later, I slam on the brakes, silently cursing at the idiot who shouldn’t be in the right hand lane.

This is a fictional example, because in real life I often walk to work (but at the same time I don’t like to miss my morning coffee J).

But all of us can relate in some way to this short example, or perhaps draw it further into our lives.  Do we go from day to day rushing around like madmen trying to get to our next appointment on time? Do we go 63km/hr because it’s only 3km/hr over the limit… or avoid that awkward conversation because it’ll take too long… or not do pre-study for Bible study club because we didn’t have time… or (insert your own example here)?

In this article I wish to question what time means to us amidst the daily rush of life, and where our priorities lie in relation to this.

Always in a Rush

If any of you are anything like me, it’s difficult to get to places on time. It seems that being in a constant rush has become a normal part of life, also in general society. But should this be part of a Christian’s life?

To illustrate this further, allow me to ask some more questions. Are we prepared to speed because we desperately needed that 5 minutes on Facebook before we left? Can we skip our night-time devotions because we really need 7 hours of sleep? Can we get to church late and not mentally prepared because we needed to meticulously style our hair? I could add many more examples here, but hopefully you get the picture: We are constrained by time, and often this constraint results in negative effects or wrongdoings.

So then, if we are always late or in a rush, what becomes a priority? Getting to places on time, or meditating on the Bible and praying? Do we skip over things like family devotion time to ensure we meet our commitments? What is ruling our lives: The need to be at certain places on time or spending quality time communicating with God?

How we use our time- effectively and to God’s glory- that is in our control, and is also our responsibility. So, if the rest of the world is in a rush (because let’s face it, most things can’t wait for tomorrow), then how are we living? Are we conforming to the world, or using our time for a different purpose?

A Growing Hobby

Photography has been a small hobby of mine for a while now, but recently I upgraded and bought myself a Canon DSLR camera. I hope to start learning about the realms of photography beyond automatic settings, and use some of my free time happily snapping away. I've also started a new blog, just for my photos. You can go to
lifesturnsphotography.blogspot.com and check it out from time to time!

God's Timing

Have you ever thought about the timing of certain events in your life? Recently I was confronted with the fact that God's timing is always perfect. Yes, it's something most of us are taught from a young age. But, if you are anything like me, there are many times in our life where things seem to happen at the most inconvenient times... or so we think.

At the moment I've got a crooked smile, and it hurts when I try take a bite from a hamburger. My stomach can't decide if it wants food or not. I've spent the last three days on antibiotics, panadol and the couch (when I'm not in bed). I've been house-confined for most of a weekend, and couldn't go to church yesterday. I can't spend my holidays like I'd planned. I have to hope that I can still go on my planned mini-getaway with friends on Friday. I can't sleep properly because my body clock's shot. Lots of things to be annoyed at, or consider inconvenient. All for an abscess in my cheek, which is causing me quite some pain and discomfort.

But in all my thoughts, there was one thing that stood out. I'm on holidays. Good or bad thing? In this case, I would say it would be a good thing. If it was the middle of the school term, I wouldn't be able to teach. And that's quite a big thing for me at the moment. So, God's timing is better than I'd thought. To go to the doctor on the last Friday afternoon of the school term was a bothersome hassle. But God's timing was perfect because it wasn't a quick-fix bandaid job. I've got the holidays to recuperate and hopefully I'll be back to normal soon and able to resume my teaching tasks.
And I can spend my holidays like I'd jokingly said: Laid up on the couch annoying my mother.

Are there times in your life that your timing hasn't fit in with God's? I hope you're as thankful for that as I am.

Fish

I've been blessed to be able to spend the last few days in Dunsborough, on a mini holiday with my family (and extended family). After finishing my first term as a full-time employed teacher, I needed a break, and so it was nice to get away from home and work for a few days. I was hoping for a nice relaxing time, with some sun, sand, and salmon. After a whole day with no success on Monday, I was giving up hope of catching much, and my arms and feet were rather sore from spending so long trudging through the sand and casting out my rod. I even managed to snap my rod with one cast, so a new fishing rod is now on my 'to-buy' list, as well as many other things. Back to the story...

So on Tuesday most of the ladies went to spend a day in Busselton, by I couldn't be bothered, and was hoping to get another bit of fishing in. In the mean time, a few others left to go golfing, which I wasn't that interested in either. Dad came off the boat with a heap of salmon to clean, so I offered to help. Now I know what to do with a salmon fillet that's been de-headed and skinned. Anyway, a short time later U. Hilko rang Dad to see if I wanted to come out on the boat and catch some salmon. Although I was a bit hesitant (my past 3 boating experiences haven't been pleasant) I knew that there was fish out there, so I went to have a go, hoping the water wouldn't be too lumpy and I would survive without giving the fish some extra 'Kara-berley'. Less than an hour later I was back on shore with 3 salmon in hand.

Photo: The first salmon I caught. A whopping 4.75kg :)

They were big salmon, and after taking the boys for another spin, the boat was pulled in and we commenced cleaning. I now also sport a sore neck and shoulders from spending the ENTIRE afternoon cleaning. Turns out Dad did 7 hours of cleaning fish... My 4-5 hours seem measly, but it was ok, and I did enjoy a nice cousinly massage that evening. That just topped of a brilliant surf and turf dinner, some TV, a beer and iPad gaming.

Today was spent chillaxing, eating bakery goodies, catching up with old friends, and driving back (including a long freeway delay).

Thanks family and cousins (and super-duper-cute cousins' daughter) for an amazing few days! Now I get to look forward to another few days away with friends next week! Better do some work first, though.... :)