One of the most common questions within our society remains… “What time is it”. No matter the gadgets we carry, the gizmos we use, or the numerous watches we own, we remain fixed on this notion of time running out to do that which is most important in our daily routine. Many days, we work all day long, and when the day concludes, all we can say is… “There are not enough hours in the day”.
We depart with the anxiety that many tasks and to do’s have been left undone and we await the arrival of the next day to complete all that we believe is pressing. What time is it? This question sounds as loud as a bull horn, announcing that we have something to accomplish and not enough time to get it done! What time is it?
This question evokes an inner scream like a baby looking for a bottle, anxiously awaiting a feeding. What time is it? Each time this question is raised, we rush to our gadgets and our devices and we look for a number. We quickly do the math in our heads, and we determine how much time is left. What if we regard time as an element of our functions rather than a deadline for accomplishments?
What if we stop regarding time as a stopwatch and regard it as a guide for existing. As we embark on this new year, a new season, a new journey, and a new existence, we are reminded of the writing in the Christian text of Ecclesiastes.. “There is a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to uproot, a time to break down, and a time to build” (Eccles. 3).
The next time you want to ask or the next time someone asks you “What time is it?” discern the element for which God is working and then pronounce the time… Is it a time to die to inner fears or a time to be born into new relationships? Is it a time to plant new dreams or to uproot old failures. Is it a time to breakdown poor relationships or a time to build new ones? What time is it for you?
