Running Out of Time...

Phil.3:20-21 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.



I've had this funny feeling lately, like I'm running out of time. Surely I can't be the only one? When I see projects to take on or a book I want to read, I often hear a little voice in the back of my head, "But you're running out of time!

I'm thinking more and more about how many days might be left to me here on Planet Earth. Maybe that sounds morbid, but Moses asked God to help him with this when he wrote in Psalm 90:12: "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." If I knew exactly how many I had left, I would eliminate a lot of things I do that are needless wastes of time.

I was thinking today that it was thirty-five years ago exactly that Mount St. Helen's erupted on the other side of the country. I remember this because I was a senior in high school and had a pitiful lack of knowledge how devastating this eruption was. Now thirty-five years have frittered away and I am a grandmother with most of my life gone. I never could have dreamed how much our world could change in thirty-five years, how much privacy would be lost, how much technology would evolve, all in the name of "progress." (To be honest, I think I felt safer back then.)

But was there ever really a time of safety on this planet though? No, not since Adam's fall. Now, though, it seems everything is on a roller-coaster ride to the finish, and it feels like we are almost there, folks. That's why I say I feel like I am running out of time. Even unbelievers comment that something unprecedented is changing before our very eyes.

Isn't it strange that the Apostle Paul said time was short thousands of years ago?

I Cor. 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. (emphasis mine)

There are two pathways, two roads, we can pursue with the little time we are given. One leads to life, the other to destruction and death. The world screams at us to join with them as they search for happiness on their road and we can fool ourselves and join along with them, but in the end we will find we have been deceived. It seems like we will have safety with them in numbers, but that is only an illusion, the only real safe place is with Jesus and in occupying our time with the things of His Kingdom until He comes. For He really is coming! The second time He will be coming for Judgment, for He has already been a merciful sacrifice, dying for the sins of the world upon the cross. It is up to us to believe or reject it.

I Thessalonians 5: "1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (emphasis mine)

So, with that little bit of earthly time that is left, I hope to use it profitably. Here are some ideas:

++++I can meditate on His Word day and night. (Ps.1:2)

++++I can pray for the saints.(Ephesians 6:18)

++++I can build myself up in my most holy faith. (Jude 1:20)

++++I can wait for and look for His appearing. (Titus 2:13)

++++I can tell others who may want to know Him as well. (I Peter 3:15)

++++I can thank Him and praise Him for all of His goodness to me. (Ps.34:1)

Can you think of any other ways to use the few precious moments left on Planet Earth before the King returns? I would love to hear them!