Tempted By Time
Before we begin a project we often figure out how much time it will take and how much time we can allow. When we take a vacation or other type of trip we usually plan ahead and try to figure out how much time we will need. If you are like me you usually want to crowd in too many things for the amount of time you have. There are so many sights to see and we want to see them all. This can result in some disappointments if you are forced to miss some really worthwhile sight because the unimportant places took too much time. This point is especially important when we consider the most precious possession we have, our souls. How often do we allow the small, trivial things to take up all of our time and neglect saving time to care for the soul?
King Agrippa put off until a more convenient time the consideration of his eternal welfare. The man who wanted to bury his father first before following Christ had something he thought couldn't wait, too! People often feel that it will inconvenience them a great deal if they must stop what they are doing right now and follow Christ. We have a false illusion about time. It gives us a false sense of security. If we are living outside of Christ, a sin, there is only one time to correct this condition and that is today.
This applies to more than the ones outside of Christ though. Each child of God must guard against yielding to time's temptation. Satan would have us put off a more convenient season what ought to be done today. Satan wants us to believe we have plenty of time to save the world, when in truth our brother is dying in sin today. Is our love for the souls of men so cold that anything can stand in the way? We pray that it is not and that today you will take the time to serve God.
Every day in our short lives is one of importance in God's service. There are some occasions that are more important than others though and cannot be put off. Worship to God is one such occasion. This signifies your love for God. Time might tempt you to be slack or slothful, while love will urge you to be prompt and well prepared. "God loveth a cheerful giver". Do not be led to believe you can put off or neglect this occasion. Another event that cannot be put off is the arrival of death. For us this will be the end of time whether we are prepared or not. The final thing that cannot be put off is the coming of the Lord and the day of judgment. Shall we stand in that day and recall the many opportunities that we let slip away because we misused our time?