The Brevity of Life: Embracing Time's Rhythms and Trusting God's

Time is a gift that we often take for granted. We live in a fast-paced world where we are constantly rushing from one task to another, always feeling like there's never enough time in a day. But have you ever stopped to think about the brevity of life? How quickly time passes and how little control we actually have over it?

One person who reflected on the shortness of life is the late Billy Graham. In a sermon he delivered in 1982, Graham expressed his surprise at how quickly life passes. He said, "If someone had told me when I was twenty years old that life was very short and would pass — just like that — I wouldn’t have believed it. And if I tell you that, you don’t believe it either. I cannot get young people to understand how brief life is, how quickly it passes."

Graham's words resonate with us because we all experience the fleeting nature of time. We are always running out of time, wishing we had more for the people and things that matter to us. The reality is that time is a profoundly theological entity. It teaches us important lessons about what God loves and about what it means to be human.

One of the lessons that time teaches us is the importance of respecting its rhythms. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." This verse reminds us that there is a time for all things, and that we need to honor the different seasons of life.

In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with the idea that we can have everything all the time. Technology has given us the illusion that we can do it all, whenever we want. But this mindset goes against the natural rhythms of life. God created the day and night, the weeks and months, to have a pattern of work and rest. Wise people understand the importance of these rhythms and live their lives in harmony with them.

One of the ways we can honor time's rhythms is by observing the Sabbath. Taking a day of rest each week is not just a religious obligation, but a way to acknowledge our own limitations and need for rejuvenation. In my years of pastoral ministry, I have seen the impact that observing the Sabbath can have on families. Those who set aside a specific day each week for rest and worship often have stronger relationships and a deeper sense of purpose.

On the other hand, the path of folly seeks to control time's seasons. We live in a culture that values productivity and efficiency above all else. We want to be in control of our time, to be able to do whatever we want whenever we want. But the reality is that there are certain seasons in life that we cannot control. There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to love and a time to hate.

These seasons often catch us by surprise and challenge our sense of control. We may experience loss, pain, and disappointment that we cannot simply fix or ignore. It is in these seasons that we are reminded of our need for something greater than ourselves. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for justice, and that God will one day bring all things to account. We may not have all the answers in each season of life, but we can trust that God is in control and that justice will prevail.

The path of life is not always easy, but it is one that embraces time's reversals. The gospel offers us the hope of a future where all things will be made right. The sufferings and trials of today will be replaced by glory and judgment in the future. Jesus taught us that those who are willing to lose their lives for the sake of the gospel will find true life in him. The world may value power and success, but the kingdom of God turns these values upside down. The meek, the poor in spirit, and those who lose everything for the sake of Christ will be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.

As we navigate the seasons of life, we can find comfort and hope in the knowledge that God is in control. He holds time in his hands and will one day bring all things to completion. We may not always understand why certain seasons come our way, but we can trust that God is working all things together for our good. In the words of Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

In conclusion, time is a precious gift that we should not take for granted. It teaches us important lessons about respecting its rhythms, embracing its seasons, and trusting in God's timing. As Billy Graham wisely said, life is short and passes by quickly. Let us make the most of the time we have, living in harmony with God's design and finding hope in the promise of a future where all things will be made right.