Making the most with the time GOD has given to us
Time in 1920’s
I recently watched the film, “Wings of Eagles” starring Joseph Fiennes as Eric Liddle, the Olympic gold medal runner for Great Britain who refused to run on a Sunday, gave up his 100 metre race as a result, ran a 400 metre race instead and won! 1924 was a time when athletes in the Olympics were true amateurs with day jobs, where running, jumping or playing was a hobby or passion which came beside work. Eric Liddle became a Christian missionary after running in the Olympics, and died in February of 1945, in China, during the Japanese Occupation.
Time in 2020’s
In 2021 what are we doing with the time our Father has given us? Are we making the most with the time we have? We must make the most of it, while we have it, and run the race set before us with zeal, hope, determination.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Grief, loss, death and the future
When others go before us to be with Jesus and the Father, when we are left behind, we must make the most of our lives and demonstrate they did not die in vain. We were not left, but remain — and not in vain. Hope is not in death but in the life which has moved to heaven (Matthew 22:32), and in the life on earth remaining. We must strive to become ALL God has created us for and all God has called us to be.
For example, we see in 1 Corinthians 7 much discussion over singleness and marriage. “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. (verses 32-33). Though it is tragic to loose one’s spouse, once again single, we have freedom, less distraction, to serve the LORD.
The death of a loved one only makes sense if we make more of our lives than when they were with us.Mourning has its place. Love never dies. But for the Believer, we must press on (Philippians 3:13), and allow Jesus to be the author and finisher of our lives. Let us not think How will we manage without our partner, friend, family member? but What are we here to do which could not be done while the other was with us? That makes sense out of the death of our loved one. Not only have they gone on to better fruitfulness, but we may also continue to bear fruit. This puts the power and sovereign will of GOD in the picture. It enables us to see purpose in all that has preceded and to focus on all which lies ahead.
Why I write to you
I do not write to you for myself. It is not catharsis or a working out of an issue. It is my training for you, using all that I know, all that I have at my disposal, to train up others who may have less experience, a different calling, or simply feel a need to supplement their study of the Word with other readings.
I am not equal to the Word of GOD. No writing is significant beyond the Word of GOD. But He made some to be Apostles, some prophet, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). He made me to be a writer, so readers could benefit from my experience if they so choose.
Direction
Run your race. Trust in the LORD. Run for that is what GOD has given you. Trust in all circumstances, and rejoice, for He has given us life and breath to use for His glory. Choose life and choose to live it to the full, not in adventure, experimentation, or self-fulfilment for these are vanity (see Ecclesiastes!), but in discovering and fulfilling your GOD-given purpose while you are here. We do not know how much time we have. Let us each make the most of it, making sense of our lives: every encounter and relationship, each moment. All this is to the glory of Yehovah, God our Father and Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, through the power of His Holy Spirit in us.
That is my prayer for us all who remain.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“In Him we live and move and have our being.”
Acts 17:28a