Time Is Short, Swift And Sufficient

Time is an amazing commodity that can both add and subtract, give and take away. It adds rings around a tree, maturity to the adolescent, growth to the child, healing to a wound. It also takes strength from the strong, beauty from the beautiful, health from the healthy, and life from the living.

 Our Heavenly Father is the God of Eternity and the Author of Time. This author delights when we can grasp the significance of the time He gives to us.

Time Is Short

The emphasis here is on our future. Paul reminds us that time is short. (1 Cor. 7:29; 2 Cor. 6:2) There is never enough time to get everything done so we must determine what is important and focus upon that. The prophetic signs that are coming to pass should give us an urgency to live today with eternity in mind. Robert Moffat, a missionary to Africa, said, “We have all eternity to celebrate our victories but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.”

Time Is Swift

The emphasis here is on our past. James reminds us that time is swift, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and vanishes away.” (James 4:14) Except for those who are hostages, prisoners, or children before Christmas, time passes too swiftly. “Where has the time gone?” we ask. Children grow up too soon. I’m getting old too soon. Looking around I think of projects that I have yet to finish but I cannot outrun time. It sprints by so fast. Stephen F. Olford wrote, “When, as a child, I laughed and wept, Time crept. When as a youth, I dreamed and talked, Time walked. When I became a full-grown man, Time ran; and later, as I older grew, Time flew. Soon I shall find while traveling on, Time gone.”

 Time Is Sufficient

The emphasis here is on our present. The Psalmist reminds us that our times are in God’s hands (Ps. 31:15). Jesus said that His time was not yet come but your time is always ready (John 7:6). Whatever we do is only because the Lord gives us the time and ability to do it (James 4:15). Scripture reminds us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven (Eccl. 3:1) and that everything is beautiful in its time (Eccl. 3:11). 

Time is short and swift but it is also sufficient to do everything you need to do. He has given you this day and in it you can accomplish everything that He intends for you.

Applying Paul’s personal statement in Philippians 3:13,14 to ourselves, may this be our daily attitude: “This one thing we do, forgetting those things which are behind (our past) and reaching forth unto those things which are before (our future), we press toward the mark for the prize for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (our present).