Verse for Thought:   To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

American author and journalist, Hunter S. Thompson may not have been writing from a spiritual perspective when he penned the following quote. But, I think of it as an inspirational message none the less.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely and pretty in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What A Ride!'”

It reminds me of something older saints used to say on a regular basis to describe how they wanted to spend their life fulfilling all that God called them to do. They would simply say, “I don’t wanna rust out, I wanna wear out for the Lord.” They knew that required being intentional in how you spend your time.

Many years ago, I was eating a late lunch in my office when the young daughter of one of my colleagues walked in.   She reminded me that it was “way past lunchtime.”   I told her that I had been very busy that day and did not stop for lunch at noon.  Her response was to share the message of a poster she had seen.   The  message at the top read, “I was put here on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things before I leave…  The bottom of the poster continued the message, “At the rate I’m going, I don’t think I will ever die.”   She was only in the third or fourth grade so  I was a little surprised that she could make such an excellent analogy given the context.   But, I just laughed at her and went on with my meal.

However, what she said always stayed with me and I think of it often.   It’s actually a very funny way of reminding us that our time is not our own.  Whether we like to think about it or not, today’s verse for thought reminds us that we were indeed put here on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things before we leave.  The bad news is whether we accomplish those things or not, our allotted time here does not change.   So many people leave this earth having never fulfilled their life’s purpose because they squander their time waiting for that illusive “someday” to give them a better opportunity to walk in that purpose, follow their dream, or even trust God’s leading or prompting to move in a different direction in life. 

Fear of failure, past hurts and disappointments, and  health challenges are just a few of the excuses we use to justify what’s really nothing more than plain old procrastination.  Some people even convince themselves that what they need to do will take too much time to even bother.  But, if you think about it, that same amount of time is going to pass at the same rate of speed whether you spend it fulfilling your life’s purpose or not.   The only difference is what you have to show for it in the end.  

You may have struggled with this at one time or another. I know I have. You may even be struggling with it now. If so, why not shift your perspective today?   What are you waiting for the perfect time to do?  Get busy doing it. Ask yourself that famous rhetorical question. If not now, then when? Just like I didn’t let the fact that it was early afternoon stop me from eating my lunch that day, you don’t have to let what’s going on at this particular time in the world or in your house, stop you from completing your life’s goals.   

It’s not too late.  Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a purpose for each one of us and Philippians 1:6-7 reminds us that we can still trust God to help us walk in it. You are not too old.  God is not too busy to listen to you if you are finally ready to talk. Take a seat at his table and eat of his spiritual food.  Ask him to help you manage your appointed time.  Remember that he alone holds time and it only moves in one direction.

Take the next step:   Think about how you spend your time.  Make a mental list each morning for the day  or every night for the next day.  Is your schedule full of tasks that God is pleased with? Don’t forget that being busy does not always equate to being productive.   How much quality time are you spending in the presence of God?   Don’t forget to leave time to pray and seek his guidance in what to do with the precious time he has allowed you.

Be Blessed,

Shelia