My dad would have turned 84 today. Time warps in an unusual way once someone dies. Twenty-five years seems like just yesterday and forever ago at the same time. Perhaps it’s the nature of time itself that gives it both an interminable and evaporating quality.We live in a very time-conscious era and culture. The clock ticks and we move—fast and faster. We frequently talk about getting off the merry-go-round or hamster wheel, but infrequently do so. We tend to live life at a frenzied pace; slowing down doesn’t seem to be a realistic option. When we are forced to pause or stop for a block of time, once moving again, we find ourselves having to double-time it to catch up with life that has marched on without us. We may attempt to control time, but it can never be mastered—time is firmly in God’s hands.
When was the last time you said, or heard someone say, “Take your time. I have all the time in the world,” instead of “Hurry-up. I’m late” or “Make it quick. I don’t have time.” Time permitting, time-management, time-sensitive--our communication is liberally seasoned with time-related references and adages. I think of how often I have heard one of life’s common conundrums summed up, “Either I have money and no time, or time and no money.” Doesn’t seem like much of a trade off. I’m not sure it’s as much an either/or proposition as it is made out to be; nevertheless the question begging answer remains: time without money or money without time? Which side would I prefer to err on?
In principle, few of us would find the exchange of life for money desirable, in any respect. How many of us would rather have one more hour with a deceased loved one, than an amount of money? Money can’t buy relationship, but time can make one treasured. What is time in the light of eternity—does it have any value? I would posit that neither time nor money has an absolute eternal value, merely a relative one. What do we use as a frame of reference? What is God’s perspective?
A couple of thoughts occurred to me as I asked myself these questions. People may struggle with the time-money value disparity; God, however, has no such conflict. He doesn’t need money, but He wants time—with His children. Throughout Scripture, a higher value is placed on time than on money; the Word encourages people to number their days, not count their money. In Matthew, Jesus teaches, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things—the necessities of life that money buys—will be added unto you.” As we see to taking time with God, God sees to meeting our daily needs.
Some have made the staunch declaration: time is money. But in God’s economy,
T-I-M-E spells love, and love is the currency God honors. The quality versus quantity of time argument has been around for years—another either/or proposition—that I believe more properly belongs in the both/and category. Time and money both have their place of importance, as do quantity and quality of time. Concerning how much or little time and money we possess and the way in which we choose to steward them, perspective is a key determinant in the resultant value added to our lives.
Regarding perspective, time is precious because life is precious. We live in a tangible-heavy world—the weight given tangibles, in many cases, is considerably higher than that given intangibles. Yet, we have a choice of scales to use in determining true value; we can use relative manmade scales or God’s absolute one. Man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. Man measures according to outcome, God assesses motivation. The rule of man is the law, the rule of God is love; the letter kills, the spirit gives life.
For many of us, these are self-evident truths. Even so, there are plentiful temptations every day to lose sight of or take for granted the opportunities we have to message someone, by the gift of a few minutes or seconds--via a text, smile, call, touch, thought, word or deed—the life-giving value of human relationship. Life is about relationship--vertically with God and horizontally with others. If anyone matters, everyone matters. It’s not all a matter of perspective, but perspective matters overall.
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