Running Out of Time (2)

Running Out of Time (2)

The “running out of time” scenario creates something of a paradox. On the one hand we have to redeem the time, and accomplish everything we can before time runs out. On the other hand we cannot rush into all that activity without adequate preparation.

Martin Luther said something like the following, “I have so much to do today, I will have to spend at least two hours of prayer to prepare me for it.”

To this the Scripture agrees:

Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 – NASB)

Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up [with] wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31 – NASB)

It is easy to get involved in just “doing things,” imagining that the sheer volume of activity is accomplishing our goals, when in fact we may just be like a hamster treading his wheel without going anywhere.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1 – NASB)

God has to be involved in our activities if we are going to accomplish anything of lasting value. Waiting  on God in prayer is one sure way  to be sensitive to His leading.

It is never a waste of time to wait for God to reveal His way to us.

Waiting for God

(Thursday 9th September 1999)

Blessed are those who wait for God

Until He is ready to bless;

Until the dew of peace descends,

And the soul finds perfect rest.

Blessed are those whose eyes are fixed

Upon His Hand, to soon discern

His perfect will, to know His mind,

And the “Shekinah Glory” burn.

Blessed are those who will not go

Ahead with plans and schemes

Until the still small voice of God

Confirms their fondest dreams.

 Please vivit My website: www.christophershennan.ca
My blog: https://christophershennan.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNShennan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherShennanAuthor

A faithful photographic reproduction of Waiting for Legal Advice by James Campbell. This image is in the public domain.

Running Out of Time (1)

Running Out of Time (1)

Author Cindy Dees posted the following Tweet on Twitter:

“Life is always shorter than we want it to be. That’s why you have to live it like you’re running out of time.”

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5: 16 – NASB)

People laugh at me when I say I am going to die at 75 years old. They rightly tell me no one knows the day of their death, but God.

So let me assure you, I am not predicting the day (or year) of my death.

What I am doing is reminding myself how little time may remain for me to accomplish what God has called me to do. I have already passed the three-score years and ten, the length of days Scripture indicates we are allotted. While many in our day live longer than that, there are no guarantees.

I have found it helpful to make five year plans; writing a list of what I hope to accomplish in that time-frame. It keeps me focused, and reminds me constantly to redeem the time, and not be lax in my approach to the work of God.

Someone asked me what would happen if I live longer than the seventy-five years I expect to live.

My response?

“I’ll just make another five year plan.”

Whatever time you and I have left of this life, and make adequate preparation for the next.

We are all of us “running out of time.

Time

(© 26^th May 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5: 16 – NASB)

The time God has allotted me

I do not know and cannot guess;

I only know – the time I have –

I want to give more, not less.

Time may be running out for me,

Or I may have a little more;

I may have time to do some good

Before I gain that distant shore.

Whatever time that I have left

Is a precious commodity;

A gift I can share with others.

As they, in turn, share theirs with me.

Oh, fellow pilgrims use your time,

As a gift from God above;

A gift for which we have the choice

To spend on self – or spend for love.

Please visit My website: www.christophershennan.ca
My blog: https://christophershennan.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNShennan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherShennanAuthor

Wooden Hourglass 2 by S. Sepp. Copyright. Used under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license; please note the Disclaimer at this link. No changes were made to the image.

Old Age and What it can Teach us

Old Age and What it can Teach us

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. ¹⁴ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are [just] a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (James 4:13-14 – NASB)

At any age we acknowledge our earthly sojourn is brief, but old age itself has a way of forcing us to face up to the reality of it. It’s like a gathering storm that sends us scuttling to prepare for its onslaught. Old age forces us to re-evaluate our life choices, and make new ones in preparation for the crossing over.

I’m thinking that many things we valued in our youth fade in importance the closer we get to the day of our death.

Of course, that could happen at any time, but old age has a way of reminding us that day is not too far off. It is a good time to re-assess what things in our lives will last for time, or eternity. We shouldn’t wait for old age to tell us that, but many do. Like Spring Cleaning, I’m ticking off the things that need to go in the trash, and what things need to occupy a higher place of honour.

Growing Old

(© Monday 20^th April 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)

You are [just] a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (James 4:14 – NASB)

Growing old is precious to me;

It’s the gift I value the most.

It has taught me more lessons than

Youth ever did – this I can boast.

Old age taught me not to waste time

On goals that are fleeting at best;

To give my utmost for His Highest,

And what gives my soul its true rest.

Old age made me think what I’m worth,

In terms of what I give, not get;

In the end it’s what I’ve given,

Not what I’ve got is most worth – I bet.

Growing old has focused my eyes,

Not on time but eternity,

On hearing my Lord say, “Well done!”

To live more for other – than me.

What a treasure old age has been;

It’s granted more riches, I’ve found,

Than the famed and wealthy an boast –

Not earth, but for Heaven I’m bound.

Please Visit My website: www.christophershennan.ca
My blog: https://christophershennan.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNShennan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherShennanAuthor

​An Elderly Man by Ahmet Demirel. This image is in the public domain.​