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 Did
you ever wear yourself out on one of those hurried vacation
trips to some far away place? The kind where you don't take time
to enjoy the beautiful scenery and points of interest along the
way? The kind that makes you glad to get back to work because
you need the rest? It occurs to me that many of us live like
some of us take vacations: in a hurry! We are an on-the-run
people, a fact the business world has capitalized upon. They
have made it possible for us to eat on the run shave on the run,
and even cook while on the run. Trouble is, as with the
vacation, we run past some things that deserve our time and
attention.
Like,
for instance, the parents who run past their children on the way
to work, on the way to parties and club meetings. No time to
play catch, hear their problems, help with their projects — no
time to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
(Eph. 6:4). On the run! — no time to pray with them; help them
with Bible class lessons or talk about spiritual subjects. Sure,
we have spending money for them; cars for them; clothes for them
— just no time for them!
On
the run! Not enough time to be a dependable and active member of
the Lord's church. Too rushed to prepare for Bible class and
often too rushed to even attend. Or, if not, then too tired from
being too rushed all the previous week. We're on the run! So,
keep the sermon short, songs few and prayers brief. No time to
meet the visitors, inquire about the sick or visit with
brethren. The cafeteria lines are getting longer, the ball game
starts at One — gotta run!
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On
the run! No time for visiting and encouraging the new convert,
no time to show our love and concern for those just beginning to
walk in newness of life. Too busy to call on our weak brethren.
We see them slowly but surely sinking in sin, getting weaker
every month. Maybe someone else will go. So we keep on the run.
We run past brethren who are infirmed, shut-in, aged, lonely and
troubled. But we're no respecter of persons, we run past the
sinners too. We pass up wonderful opportunities to teach and
influence the lost as though Jesus had said nothing about the
value of souls, or about lifting up our eves to fields white
unto harvest (Matt. 16:26; John 4:35).
On
the run! Too busy! No time! BUT IS THAT REALLY OUR PROBLEM? I
think not. I think it is a convenient scapegoat to excuse
ourselves. THE REAL PROBLEM IS NOT SO MUCH A LACK OF TIME AS A
LACK OF FAITH! As
free moral agents, we still determine what will have priority in
our lives; most of us still do about what we want — and TAKE
the time for what we want. What we need is to quit deceiving
ourselves! Our time is not something we just happen to have or
not to have — it is a resource to be invested as we choose.
"Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but
as wise; redeeming the time..." (Eph. 5:15,16). Time is to
be our slave, not our master! Careful and wise living means
using time in view of eternity. Slow down! Take time to smell
the roses-- and prepare for heaven! Dan Shipley
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