Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 08 November 2022 10:24

Time in a bottle
One cannot know what a day will bring forth, and it’s futile to try predicting what an entire year will produce. Some people might make close guesses on New Year’s Day that slightly resemble these headlines written at the end of that year; however, by and large, each year brings with it uncertainties and the unexpected.
Some people spend their time analyzing trends and “likelihoods” for 10 or 20 years down the road. I read recently that back in 1967, experts predicted that by the turn of the century technology would have taken over so much of the work we do that the average American work week would be only 22 hours long, and that we would work only 27 weeks a year. As a result, one of our biggest problems would be in deciding what to do with all our leisure time. Well, I don’t know about you, but that prediction certainly missed the mark as far as my life was concerned! In fact, most of us seem to be very busy.

There is a passage of Scripture that I believe can be of help to us as we look forward to any given year if we’ll take the time and listen to it. Ephesians 5:15-17 ( KJV ) 15See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully, diligently) not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Time is a precious commodity. If we could bottle it and sell it, surely we would become rich overnight! Like investors tells us, buy land because when it’s all sold, no one is making anymore of it. So it is with time. David pondered this mystery in Psalms 39:4-7 ( NIV ) 4 “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Selah 6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”

Psalms 90:9-10 ( KJV ) 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Younger folks may think that 80 years is a long time, but to those who are there already, and others who are rapidly closing in on it, they realize the truth that, at best, time is fleeting and runs out all too quickly. So, the wisdom of Ephesians 5: 15-17, we should walk carefully and use our time wisely. If you are not already doing so, it’s time to learn what the will of the Lord is and set your course on doing that will. Friends, it’s later than we ever imagined! Since we can’t put time in a bottle, we need to build up our trust in eternity — and begin today to lay up our treasures in Heaven.

The author can be reached for comments at 256.574.2489.

-Terry Broome