The Clock is Ticking

When I was ‘quickly’ approaching the age of Forty, I gave up my business as a general contractor to spend more quality time with my wife and three, young children.  Amazingly, talk about God’s timing, a Building Inspector position became available in the same city that I resided.  The vacated position was due to a retiring inspector.  I believe it was a God thing.

I hurried and turned in my resume to the City Building Department, and after they reviewed it and felt that I was qualified, I received a phone call a few days later to set up a date to take an exam.  It was the second pre-employment phase that was required.

If I placed in the top ten, the next phase was a question-and-answer session with an interview board, and then a one-on-one sitting with the Building Official who would have the final say as to the one being hired.

I thought the day of the exam would never come, but at last it was here.  I was feeling good that day and ready for this phase to be over.  I was nervous and anxious as I listened to the pertinent instructions given by the overseeing Proctor.  After finishing her talk, she said, “Begin.”  I had three hours to complete the exam.

I made a big mistake sitting under the clock that was in the room.  I couldn’t relocate to another desk because the room was filled with Sixty-five other hopeful applicants.  It was one of those clocks like the ones in school classrooms—very loud with every tick.

The exam was stressful enough but listening to the big hand on the clock tick to the next minute and quickly tick again and then again was quite annoying and distracting.  I was racing against the clock to finish before time ran out.

It seemed like fifteen seconds between each tick, not a full minute.  Three hours blew by at supersonic speed.  Just as I answered the last question, the Proctor exclaimed, “Time’s up!”  It was over!  I took a deep breath, laid my pencil down and walked out.  I left with huge sweat rings under both armpits, yet feeling good about the answers I gave.

With the exam behind me and all the interviews I went through, I was fortunate to be chosen for the job.  It was certainly a God thing.  I gave Him all the praise.

I’m sure you can relate to the fact that when a person stays busy at work, time flies, but if things are slow, the day seems to drag on forever.  In a similar vein of thinking, it is shocking to me how a seven-day week seems to turn into a four-day week the older I get. 

Time is flying by but not like when I was younger and waiting for that all important 18^th and 21^st birthday to roll around.  Time slowed down to a crawl during the wait. 

The opposite is true with regards to Bible prophecies addressing the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Time is slipping by at breakneck speed.  I believe this long-awaited event is quickly approaching, “faster than quick can get ready” as the saying goes.

I also believe it is coming faster than some people want.  They are procrastinating in giving their heart to the Lord, because they want to live life without any ties or interference from God. 

Wanting to delay His coming does not change the fact that the clock is ticking, and time is running out to make things right with the Lord.  The clock is ticking faster and faster like the day I took the exam.

When I was a child being raised in a Christian home; I remember Mom and Dad saying that Jesus was coming soon.  It didn’t happen in their lifetime, but I sincerely believe that I am in the generation that will behold the Son of God coming back in all His glory.

From what I understand, every Bible prophecy relating to Jesus’ second coming has been fulfilled, except one prophecy—His actual return.  It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.  If a person has not confessed their sins and received God’s forgiveness, it will be too late to say, “God forgive me of my sins.”

(Matthew 24:34-39), “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (vs 35) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (vs 36) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (vs 37) “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (vs 38) “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,” (vs 39) “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

We must always be ready to meet Jesus when that moment takes place.  Our sins must be forgiven, or we will be left behind and not inherit eternal life in heaven.  There are no second chances.  Time is of the essence!  The clock is ticking!  Today is the day of salvation, not tomorrow.  Tomorrow may be too late.

(2 Corinthians 6:2), “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd