Time Stays, We Go!

Written by Jack Wilhelm, this originally appeared in the March 1986 edition of the Tennessee Valley Christian, edited by Charles E. Cobb.

American's fascination with clock tampering twice a year so that we can have an "extra hour of sunshine" all summer during Daylight Savings Time is not enjoyed uniformly by everyone. In some states, it is not observed at all which compounds the confusion.

One farmer was sure that the extra hour of hot sunshine would burn up his crops. When DST first began one year, one of our first graders tried to cope with it a week then complained, "I just hate this new old time when you've got to to bed before you're tired and get up when you still are!" As a man named Duncan Caldwell once said, "Americans have more timesaving devices and less time than any other group of people in the world."

I doubt if God cares much about the manipulative games we play with our clocks, but if the Bible is right, we can be sure He is very concerned about what we do with our time. It seems logical that the One who has taught us to "number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12) would be concerned about how we us the minutes and hours of which each of those days is made. (Read also Psalm 39:4)

Christians are given numerous exhortations about the value of time: "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) Read Colossians 4:5 and Romans 13:11 in this collection also.

And do you remember Peter's exhortation, "if you call on Him as Father...pass the time of your sojourning in fear knowing that you are redeemed." (1 Peter 1:17-18)

Perhaps one of the most important challenges to Christians regarding our use of time is Hebrews 5:12. We are reminded very seriously that as time passes, Christians are expected to grow so that they can teach others instead of needing constant teaching on elementary matters themselves.

We have a saying that "time passes." Austin Dobson revised this, "Time goes, you say? Ah, no! Alas, time stays, we go!" When it comes to pass that time, for us, will be no more, what then?

If all through life, we, like Felix say, "When I have a more convenient season" I will make things right with God and fellowman, we may too easily let time run out for us.

The time is coming when, "all that are in the tombs shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." (John 5:28-29)

At that time, judgment will begin at the house of God, "and if it begins first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)

Paul's time of departure held much comfort (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Our time of departure can also be a time of comfort.