Time

Simple Riddle:

What's the one thing every person in the world has in equal share?
Ans: 24hrs in a day

Corny question, I know. But I think this question gives us a little insight into Man's pre-occupation with trying to "extend" and maximise that which everyone has in equal share--time.

In a world where "Time is Money" & "The early bird catches the worm", the people who can best squeeze out the most in 24hrs wins. Productivity and efficiency is a key word in any organisation--both secular and church. Technology is obsessed with speed--the faster, the better. And this is supposedly with the aim of helping businessess & consumers save time; though it doesn't really. "We live in an INSTANT society" was first thought up and used in the early 90s, though in the Spore of today and beyond, it might as well be changed to "We live in an INSTANTANEOUSLY-CONNECTED society" instead.

I havn't been blogging for close to 2 mths now and I praise God for all who were concerned for me and asked me how I was. Your care was an encouragement. The "sabbatical" that I took from blogging was a time for me to think about things. To think about the past, the present and the future. And I must say that it has been painful. However, it was a necessary step. To rethink, evaluate, reflect on Ministry, Emotions, People and Life.

I won't be able to share on all the words of Truth & encouragement that various people have shared with me. But I hope to highlight the famous passage in Ecclesiastes 3. I havn't read it in a while and it reminded me... take the necessary time to think. It's not "time out" or "time off"... its "time to grow". The passage once again made me rethink what Time really is--Oppurtunites to fear the Lord, to obey his commands (Eccl 12:13). "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil" Eccl 12:14

That's what gospel-living is about. Christlikeness doesn't come in a day, a week or even a month. It's a long term process that sees us going through ups and downs. Times of discipline, times of mourning, tims of rejoicing.

As Full-time Christians, our primary concept of time shouldn't be that its a resourse which enables us to complete tasks and uphold 'deadlines'. No! Time should be viewed through the lenses of eternity, of the second-coming of Christ (concepts that time doesn't have a hold of). Its a gift; oppurtunities for us all to do what's right... to grow into maturity.

To end this blog (don't want it to be too long!), may these words from 1 Peter (a book that a dear friend pointed me to) encourage you and spur you on in Living for God and being Stewards of his Grace

"[1]Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2]so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. [3]The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do...
[7]The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. [8]Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. [9]Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10]As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: [11]whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Pet 4:1-3, 7-11