Unattached To Time

Unattached to Time

Read: Matthew 5:38-42

“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”

Matthew 5:41

“Time is given us to use in view of eternity.”

—Anonymous

IN WORD In Jesus’ code of ethics, there is no room for a zealous protection of our time and our energy. They are to be spent for kingdom purposes. Often, that means that they are to be spent for others.

What is it that makes us guard our time so protectively? Most of us balance families, jobs, church, rest and recreation, and any other interests we might have. Time is scarce. No one gets more than twenty-four hours a day. We must figure out how to balance all of our many responsibilities, and the relentless clock will not slow down for us. Time is perhaps the most valued commodity in our culture, often even more than money.

In all of our juggling, do we leave time for service? God gets the firstfruits of our paychecks. Does He get the firstfruits of our time and of our effort? Think of what we are saying when He does not. Perhaps we are overestimating the importance of our own agenda. Is our schedule really that sacred? Perhaps we are not flexible enough to respond to God’s Spirit. Are we just focused on getting things done, or are we wanting to help build an eternal kingdom? How we spend our time and our effort will show us, the world, and God what our priorities are.

Of all the sacrifices we are asked to make, this is one of our most challenging. How can we become unattached to our time? Consider the eternity that lies before us. Who has more time to do good than the children of the eternal God?

IN DEED When our time is unfairly demanded of us, how do we respond? Again, Jesus does not ask us to be doormats. He asks us to be witnesses. We are the display of His kingdom’s truths. If tasks are a greater priority to us than relationships, how will this world see His values? God asks us to take a stand in the face of evil for kingdom principles. We must decide which is more important to us: protecting our precious time, or demonstrating the kingdom of God.