Time is an interesting factor in our lives. If we are enjoying ourselves, time seems to fly by. If we are in pain, time seems to literally creep by. Something important happens, and we remember that; then endurance sets in until the next big happening. We do not remember the time in between, only the big happenings.
Someone asked me some time ago, do you get used to having cancer? I had to give an honest answer and had to say yes, it does become part of your life. The doctor visits, the treatments, the side effects of the treatments, the sleepless hours and the list goes on, all become part of daily life.
One thing however that has not become part of the things that I get used to, and that is time; it is an ever present thought. No, not that it makes me afraid or anxious or still wanting to do the things I never had a chance to do. I have to confess that at times I wonder how much more time God will give me on this earth and how I can best use this precious time. Never in this life has time become so important to me than now.
Ecclesiastes 3 always made an impression on me, even in my youth when my father would read this chapter when seated around the table. When I was young I sometimes questioned some of these truths, wondering if they were true. Now that I have more years behind me I understand more of what these verses mean.
A time for everything.1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace..
The time I have been talking about above is the time table God has for us to use here on earth. The only occasion that time is important to God is in His dealings with us. You see in eternity (where God dwells) time will not have a cycle like we have here on the earth, but will be everlasting. There will be no days, months or years and no clocks or calendars.
Are you ready to face this Eternity? I invite you to watch the movie clip below and get more details on time and what God wants us to do with this precious gift of time.
It has been one week ago that I started Chemotherapy treatment again. The first week is usually good until the side effects start to appear in the second week. I am praying that I will not get these side effects, or at least less of them. So far it is going well, except for the sleepless hours during the night. But even those hours can be a blessing, not to count sheep, but to talk to the Shepherd. We so often have so much to pray for, which is good; however please take time to listen to what God has to say to you, through His word and Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your compassion and cares, your greetings and well wishes.
May God be with you, always.
John
love eccl.3.
ReplyDeletethe best most fulfilling way to live is to see eternity's big picture.
thanks for your frank testimony.
God bless this round of chemo.
will be praying
We certainly all need to stop and pay attention to the precious gift of time and how we use it - we continue to pray daily for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Dear John & Henrietta:
ReplyDeleteIndeed,time is a very precious commodity. We do need to be stopped and reflect on this gift of time and evaluate what we are doing with it and what quality of life we are looking for as we are making our pilgrim journey through this transient life. And time only has true meaning when we live it in relationship to the One Who made us in His image with a space in our hearts that only He can fill. All other stuff we try to fill our lives with just does not satisfy. Yes, we need to care for our families etc., but even that needs to be done in the awareness of the brevity of time as we journey onward to when time shall be no more. We need to always keep our focus on the Object of our journey and the place of arrival. What a blessing to know that Jesus, Who was also a homeless pilgrim, knows what it is like to be human and to suffer, and now walks life's pathway with us inasmuch as we invite and depend on Him in our lives. We need to consciously walk with God in all our time, not just a portion of our total time. So the true value of life and quality time is lived in relationship with Jesus and our Triune God day by day. As you are very much aware of, brother, the true joy of life and the true fulfillment of life is found when we are employed with His praise so that the joy of the Lord becomes our strength and song.
Thee may I set at my right hand
Whose eyes my inmost substance see
And labor on at Thy command
And offer all my works to Thee
Give me to bear Thy easy yoke
And every moment watch and pray
And still to things eternal look
And hasten to Thy glorious day
For Thee delightfully employ
Whatever Thy bounteous grace has given
And run my course with even joy
And closely walk with Thee to heaven.
love
Gerrit & Connie