“I don’t have time” is one of those ridiculous things we say pretty much all the time. As if time can be owned. As if we could take charge of it, I mean really, “who’s got the time?” Right?
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:3-5 NKJV
God is the Creator of time. He holds time, I don’t. But I keep needing reminders. He made the first day, divided light and darkness. He called it day. He said it was good. So why do I so often bemoan those hours, as if He didn’t make quite enough? Why do I consider them mine?
Why do I whine about my accomplishments and non-accomplishments within those 24 hours as if He did not allow interruptions for a bigger purpose than I can see or know?
I’ve had some major interruptions lately. A series of things which didn’t fit into my plans or in my budget.
I talked to a couple once, who bore some pretty deep grudges about money, feeling cheated out of what they believed to be rightfully theirs. I listened skeptically, all the while in my heart dismissing their rant with, “well...it wasn’t yours to begin with. Our money belongs to God.”
As I stood there listening with a dose of self-righteousness, the Spirit nudged me with, “Well, Sylvia, how about your time? You’re not so open handed with that. It belongs to Me too.”
How often I feel I’m cheated out of the minutes that I don’t own. Doesn’t time also belong to God? “I don’t have time,” often becomes a panicky whine about what isn’t mine in the first place.
The dictionary defines interruption as a stoppage, break in continuance, or blockage. And, I’d say that pretty much describes what happens when the wi-fi glitches, unexpected guests arrive, or a request pulls me from what I meant to get done.
I wonder if the dictionary definition fits God’s definition?
When I view the unpredicted as stealing my time, I don’t leave a whole lot of room for what God wants to teach me.
When my plans get detoured, God is bringing opportunity. I can trust Him to know what He wants accomplished that day and how He wants to do it. I can believe His plans are designed better than mine. He is offering an occasion to submit in faith.
Sometimes interruptions bring divine appointments. Something I may consider an inconvenience, God may deem a blessing. It’s possible God is keeping me from harm or maybe He just wants me to learn to be patient. And maybe the interruption has another person’s good at heart. My Father sees time through a completely different lens of eternity.
For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 NKJV
Whether I understand or never see why they occur, interruptions and my response to them, belong to God.
How would life alter if my attitude when interrupted showed expectancy? What if I responded by asking what He wants to do through this? How might things change if I trusted God with the unplanned hiccups of each day?
I need to redefine my heart’s perception of those inconvenient happenings which throw me off kilter. I need to consider to whom my minutes and hours belong.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 NKJV
He sees eternity. I just see a few feet ahead.
So the next time the words, “I don’t have time for this,” come into your mind or out of your mouth, let me encourage you with this prayer. “Lord, take these moments which I don’t own and use them however You will.”
Interruptions are part of God’s sovereignty. Can you think of a time when an interruption turned into a blessing?
Other Resources
Here are a couple of excellent resources from Tim Challies you might find helpful: Are you hungry to Feed Your Soul with the Word of God? I’m honored to have a piece in this book of Thirty Short Bible Studies. You can pick it up on Amazon.
Discussion
Loading comments...