Time



Here I am with time slipping by, but I have a pen in hand, so all is not lost.  Is there nothing I can do with my time other than sit here and allow myself the pleasure of sharing bottled-up thoughts that are pressing me to get out?  At this moment I can think of nothing more important, or enjoyable.

The following paragraphs contain a most unpopular subject and not too exciting to read, but no-one should bury their head in the sand and wish that time could stand still.  Though you may be young, or middle aged, one thing is certain, few people want to think, or talk about it; especially older people such as myself.  We were born to die; sooner or later.  Please read on; it’s important.

When I was younger and not living for the Lord, if someone would start talking about death, I would shut them up immediately.  I didn’t want to talk about it, let alone think about dying.  I knew where my soul would end up, and it wasn’t heaven.

Perhaps you are sitting there feeling almost bankrupt regarding time.  As people age and approach the golden years, their thought process changes.  They sometimes allow their mind to be channeled toward the negative aspects of growing older—“So little time left,” they might well say.  These four words discourage living in the moment; causing fear at times.  This kind of thinking needs to be changed, because it brings feelings of defeat, with despair and unhappiness close behind.

I’ve found that when I don’t keep my thoughts in check, it drains my mind of peace when I think about time and how quickly it is passing, though it did pass much slower at other times in my life; waiting for my first child to be born; receiving the college degree that I worked so long to attain; a job promotion; turning twenty-one; and a much needed vacation that I had saved for. 

As a person searches the recesses of their mind, thinking about years gone by without focusing on detailed events, or special happenings, a coldness can chill not only the outer layer of skin, but to the very morrow of the bone. 

I was young yesterday, but overnight I went from climbing the mountain of life to applying fading brakes on the downhill grade on the other side before I could blink twice.  I’m not complaining, only trying to point out that our time on earth gets much shorter the older we get.

Aches and pains have befriended me against my will.  Rather than letting them get me down I think back to what a dear friend shared with me many years ago when I was complaining about turning forty.  He shook his head from side to side, smiled, and said, “It’s not so bad growing old when you consider the alternative.”  I have never forgotten these words; they have helped me to greet each birthday with acceptance and dignity. 

I look forward with gladness to each and every sunrise, even with the aches and pains that accompany growing older.  As the sun’s rays peek through my bedroom window I realize how blessed I am.  I raise my arms toward heaven to stretch and thank the Lord for a new day, I then roll over and greet my wife with a kiss.  Again I realize how blessed I am that she is still with me.

As time claims more hours, days, and years, there will come a time when my mate and I will greet each other for the last time on this side of eternity.  We will have said our good mornings for the last time.  Death will have visited our happy home bringing with it sadness and questions, but hopefully few regrets for those things we failed to say and do.

A word of advice; make the most out of every moment while there is yet time.  Tell others how much you love them and do things that you’ve been putting off.  Enjoy life and stop worrying about growing old.  I’ve heard it said, “You’re as young as you feel.”  Discipline yourself to start feeling better about living rather than how much time you have left.  Kick the Mulley grubs to the curb and live!

When the time comes that we must part with loved ones to keep our appointment with God, may those whom we leave behind speak well of us.  Hopefully our life and time spent on earth will have touched someone in a positive, loving way.  We have no assurance of tomorrow no matter how old we are.  Time waits for no man.

(Psalm 90:10), “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

I cautioned you that this might be unpleasant reading, whereas, the sooner we accept the allotted time that God gives us, the sooner we can take care of lose ends; mainly getting our soul right with God.

The hope of all Christians is eternity in heaven.  With this knowledge, the fear of growing older, or thoughts of dying can be replaced with the following scriptures. 

(2 Corinthians 5:6-8), “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.”  vs.7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  vs.8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

Perfect love casts out all fear.  Jesus Christ is that perfect love who assures us of this hope of immortal glory with Him.

Written by,

Papa Boyd