Daily Devotionals

There’s Still Time

Posted in Courage/Perseverance

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them… not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”  

1 Timothy 6:17

 

As I write this, I am preparing to go to a college counseling night at my daughter’s school.  It seems like just yesterday we were slowly pulling out of the garage at Palmetto Baptist with our new addition and feeling somewhat surprised that the hospital staff would just let us leave with this little person without at least a pop quiz on parenting skills.  Even as the reality comes into focus that my daughter’s time with us is slowly dwindling down to a period that very shortly will be measured in months, that voice in the back of my mind begins a familiar refrain of “there’s still time.” 

 

There’s still time to get home earlier… time to go on a mission trip as a family… time to start spending more time as a family in prayer… and time to get real serious about the things I know to be truly lasting and most rewarding.  The repeated justifications for the delays vary in their specifics, but all have the common element of procrastination to a day or month or year that never arrives.  

 

I know I’m not alone.  We, as a human race, seem content to live in blissful ignorance of the one truth we can certainly count on: our earthly lives will most certainly come to an end.  We have come to believe a lie that time is on our side.  This lie, I am afraid, is the greatest weapon the father of lies uses against us because it is the one we most readily want to believe.  Our sinful nature seizes upon the lie because it tells us we are in control, and regrettably, suggests that God is not.  

 

The early Christians were not so foolish.  They lived as if Christ would return at any moment.  They were not consumed with profit and loss statements, 401K balances, and memberships to clubs.  They lived as if tomorrow might not actually come.  I can only imagine how liberating it might be if I could have the faith and courage to live as the early Christians did.  How quickly many of the things that dominate my thoughts and actions would be rendered frivolous and unnecessary.  The chains that bind me to desk and deadline would fall off, and I would quickly realize that I am my own captor.  

 

With this message, I pray for the strength and courage to live as if the Kingdom of God is mere moments away.  I also pray that you will seek the same strength and courage, and consider with me whether it is time to make a greater commitment to support the church and its activities with my time and financial resources; time to let Jesus take control of my heart, mind and actions, and seek him in everything I do.

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, today I pray for strength and courage to live fully for your glory.  Take control of my heart today, Lord.  Amen. 

 

Submitted by Stuart Lee