Recently while reading, I came across an interesting bit of trivia. It seems that in the village of Crimond Scotland there’s a very unusual clock. Located on the tower of the church in the center of town, the clock is famous for having an extra minute mark between the numbers XI and XII, making each hour 61 minutes long. The clock has been updated to electric now and the original works are on display elsewhere. It was painted and the extra minute mark removed at one time, but this caused such an uproar from the citizens, it was returned to it’s original form. Inscribed across it’s face are the words, “The hour’s coming.” evidently referring to the hour of Christ’s return.
Time affects all of us in some way. Sometimes it seems to fly by way too quickly making us rush to get things done and on some ocassions it drags by slowly like an almost-empty bottle of ketchup. Whether it’s due to my age, or whatever, days seem to get much shorter all the time. Seasons come and go more quickly each year and the holidays get closer together. I’m sure my grandchildren have grown much faster than my babies did.
Hosea 10: 12 says:….it is time to seek the Lord.
Romans 13: 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
2 Cor. 6: 2….behold, now is the time of salvation.
Each hour and minute of life we are given is a precious gift from God. Jesus knew that His time on earth was to be short and on several ocassions made the statement, “My hour has not yet come.” He knew from the age of twelve that he must be about His Father’s business and reach as many in the multitudes who followed Him as was possible.
We, as the church and as individuals, have the same responsibility to share His love and the amazing story of salvation through trusting Him. How many hours do we waste every day? Time spent standing in line, racing across town, watching TV, texting and involving ourselves in countless other activities is wasted if we at least do not spend it mindful of His presence and ready to tell our own story of salvation.
Every minute a tragedy occurs, someone is born and someone dies. Since we are not promised tomorrow and life can end in a second, without warning, we had best wake up to the realization that time is too precious to waste being spiteful or offended and get busy doing our part. (I’m preaching to myself here, as much as to anybody else) I know that many hours in my days are wasted and I have to remind myself often to stay mindful of what He would have me do. Time can be our enemy, or when handled wisely, our greatest blessing.
Rev. 1: 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
