Introduction:
The beginning of a new year has swooped in on us almost unexpectedly. We have all looked back over the past year and wondered, “Where has the time gone?” We see the passage of time all around us. Some of those signs are expected and welcome. But most of them are unexpected and rude. We don’t want time to keep marching on but to our frustration time –clad in its steel shod boots –continues trampling through our world. What are we to do about this infernal nemesis that continues to follow us everywhere?
I. No More Tomorrows
Our time on this earth is limited by situation, circumstance, and decision, Psalm 39:4-5, “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.”
According to the World Meter (https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/), over 8 billion, over 288,000 born, over 145,000 died, with a net population increase of 145,000 per day, and counting.
We will die whether it is by age, disease, accident, violence, or disaster. How are you going to use the God given time you have? Psalm 90:10-12, “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Many of us because of age and experience have a choice and will make a choice. However, many others because of age and inexperience are decided for. If I live another 44 more years, I will be 85, which is 528 months, 2,288 weeks, 16,060 days, 385,440 hours, or 23,126,400 minutes, I must choose to live them.
I alone will be responsible for how those minutes, hours, days, and years are used. Or more importantly, how they are invested. Regardless of how long I live I must I choose to live these remaining years. And for many of those years I will be choosing for three others. It is time for investment.
II. Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Without a doubt, we often look back and wish, wonder, and consider ‘what if’. What if I had done this or that? What if I had taken more time? What if I had spent 15 more minutes with my friends or family each day, what would my world have been like? What if I had exercised, read, studied, or listened more, where would I be?
Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” It is in these moments that we understand the value of time. But now is not the time to beat yourself. Satan would like nothing more than for you to live with and wallow in regret. All the while wasting more time! Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson once said, “Don’t wrestle with pigs because they like it too much and you get dirty.”
Begin now to utilize the time for a better eternity! Seize the day! Make every minute count by investing in eternity. Our first priority is to glorify God in all aspects of our life, 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our second priority is to fulfil any number of God given tasks, Ephesians 5:15-17, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” We each have a purpose and a task to accomplish. This tasks may be part of the normal Christian routine or a considered long term task.
III. Mary living in a Martha World
We are driven by societies’ expectations, Luke 10:40-42, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” Jesus answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
What was the problem with Martha and Mary? Sibling rivalry? Bossy sister accusing lazy sister? Bad timing? Poor priorities?
1. We have replaced a quantity of time for quality time.
2. We have moved from stewardship to ownership.
3. We have pushed the important aside for the necessary.
The time we choose to invest is worthless if we don’t stop to use it. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
1. Do you know/discuss what your priorities are?
2. Do you re-evaluate those priorities regularly?
3. Do your priorities consist of “I, me, my, mine, want”?
Considering what Kierkegaard said this is so important: Don’t forget what you have learned! This is so often our downfall. 1 Timothy 6:17-19, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1. Are you regretting the time you haven’t invested?
2. What more can we do when we focus on less?
3. What priorities will you begin focusing on today?
Application:
We are to be good stewards of our time because we have no more time! Romans 13:11-12.
1. Let us use the time God has given us.
2. Let us invest it for maximum return.
3. Let us make the most of every minute.
It is time to reconsider the purpose of our life, Ecc 3:9-13. Only two things matter in this life: God and what we leave behind. What will people say about your life when you’re gone? What are you doing to insure your work will not be in vain?
