“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
–The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
The more time continues on the more of it I seem to lose in massive quantities. This feeling leads to deep contemplation on what I do with my time and where I divide it up if I actually even do that. As a society, we take time for granted.
We rise to work, rush to pick up children and drive through the nearest fast-food establishment, rattle off the order, and rush back home before heading back out to various nighttime activities. “There is not enough time,” we wearily exclaim. The feeling sits with us for a while until we gradually succumb to the “normalcy” that is the lack of time.
Gift of Time
What we often forget is that time is a precious gift. Too often we allow the cares of the world to corrupt our own perspective, the way we know is Truth. It’s so easy for us to dwell on the present troubles of this world, to spend our time fretting and fussing over events and circumstances that are not in our control. But, we can remember that God is the author of time. He holds every second in His hands. While we don’t have control of the time of the world, we can gather up the time that has been given to us and accomplish mighty things in His name.
When we struggle with how to spend our time, may we always choose ways that will increase our hearts in wisdom and live it out faithfully for the world.
”“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
