The Ponderance of Time

Frequently, I find myself sitting quietly, pondering the concept of time.

This morning was one of those mornings.

What began my pondering?

My inquiry concerning my daughter's pending driver's ed class.

In five short years, my children's ages will range from nearly 22 to 17 years of age.

As I told my mother yesterday on the phone, I am so proud of who they are and who they are becoming.  They have brought me much joy! 

The coming years are going to be exciting for them and for me. It thrills me to participate in their flights, and I am thankful they both welcome me along and take joy in our journeys together.

I am also profoundly thankful for health and youth!  I may be in my forties, but I feel like a woman no older than thirty!  Vigor and deep dwelling joy are my companions.

Too often I find people dread time.  They half-celebrate birthdays and milestones. A sense of regret or time not well spent perhaps haunts their days gone by.  But God edifies us to "redeem the time."

Specifically,  He says:

'Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.'

See then that you walk circumspectly,

 not as fools

 but as wise,

  redeeming the time,

 because the days are evil.

^{Eph 5: 14-16}

 

That implies that on any given day, you choose to walk or not...you choose to sow or not. You know what that has always preached to my spirit?  Empowerment!  I have been granted a tremendous gift.... the gift of choice.

Everyday I choose how I start my day -- what attitude I embrace -- what I will eat to build up and maintain my health -- what activities I will do to strengthen my body -- what I will study -- what I will teach -- where I will go -- what I will do.

Choice; what a tremendous gift when weighed in the counsel of the Holy Spirit.  But what a burden choice becomes when His counsel is dropped from the equation!

Perception is a most powerful element.  It will either shine light into the fog and into the dark or it will add to the fog and the dark.  I choose -- as is my gift to do so -- the former as opposed to the latter.  How?

By heeding His counsel: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

I most sincerely pray you do likewise!

Awake from your slumber (ie: your nonchalant, complacent attitudes)!

Arise from the dead (ie: leave - take ACTION steps -- away from the place where flesh dominants and spirit suffocates)!

Receive Christ's light (ie: His empowerment, His way, His will) and rejoice.... and again, I say, "Rejoice!"

As Moses said,

"Teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom."  

Psalm 90:12

So, here's to time!  A gift from God.  Not something to dread or to run away from, but something to lean into and embrace for all the possibilities it brings!

May you too stop and ponder time....

both the value and the gift of it....

as well as the responsibility of it!

Do not flounder time, and do not strive in it,

but master it in the counsel of the Holy Spirit,
lest it master you!

Blessings!
Deborah

As always, you are invited to visit us at www.joyinthemorning.com!