Above is a picture taken from behind the clock at Le
Musée d’Orsay in Paris. My friend Jeremy took this
photo. It has become one of my favorites from the
last year’s adventure to the city of Lights. If not
because it reminds me of the wonderful and timeless
pieces of art I saw, but also because I had such a
great time.
Time. This picture reminds me of the time I spent
wandering aimlessly and slowly down the streets
listening to street artists, contemplating paintings
on the wall, and enjoying, like really enjoying all
the food I ate. I guess you could say it was the
time of my life!
Confession to you all, my dear readers: I’ve been
functioning as if time is running out. This state of
mind has me rushing through just about every
activity. From as informal activities such as
reading and writing to more professional activities
as meetings and even leading worship, I’ve had my
foot on the accelerator doing my best to save time
in order to have more time….Wait. What? Exactly. So,
before I go any further, I apologize for rushing. I
apologize for being in such a hurry that we do not
get to be together in a complete way. While I do not
believe we’ve wasted our time, I do believe I have
not honored your time entirely.
Time. It is something not meant to be wasted or
killed (I can’t stand that expression by the way and
thing it is time we retire it!). Instead, time is to
be embraced and enjoyed. Time is a gift.
|
What has me thinking about time was a meditative moment for Monday
mornings in one of my prayer books. The instruction for today was
this: Pause to look at the clock, and think about the mystery of
time. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, is God’s
gift of time. It is a gift unearned, simply given.
Time. We all have time. Sometimes we run out of time. At times we
feel as if we don’t have enough time. We even say to some they have
too much time. As one philosopher has said, “The times, they are a
changing.”
Time flies. Or as Kermit the Frog has said, “Time’s fun when your
having flies.” You might want to read that a second time…Whatever
time it is for you, take time.
Call time out. Or time in. Take the time you need. As you do
remember time is a part of our faith journey.
Ecclesiastes reminds us everything has its time.
A time to be born, and a time to die…
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing…
A time to keep, and a time to throw away…
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven…”
Time is a gift. Take time to be. I give you permission to take as
much time as you need today to whatever brings you life. I encourage
you to be mindful of your time. Because there is no better time than
now….
[Adam Quine, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Lincoln] |
