Thursday, April 5, 2012

Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2

Of all the things that I find disturbing of the 21st Century is the all-consuming nature of our daily existence. We are so often busy doing ‘stuff’ that you get the impression if we were to die the world would end; but the scripture often refers to a world that has no end. I crave a simpler existence where I am not constantly on call, busy doing nothing for surely I am not on call visiting the sick in the hospital, those that are incarcerated, those in reformatory institutions. Surely I am busy carving out an existence for myself and family. Last afternoon I met someone on his way to church and I commented that weekday meetings is a sore point for me because by the time I get home from working with my students I am so tired that it does not happen and his response was, ‘I find time for God.’ Time assembling with the saints is pivotal- the Bible advises us to do so. Quiet study and time spent in God’s presence is priceless and cannot be underscored enough. But let us be reminded time for God is not confined behind the walls of the church. Where do we fit in time for service? I have come to the conclusion that busy or not, tired or not, it has to be attended to; that is- if Jesus is our example. What we need, is not necessarily more hours in the day (like I so often bemoan) but better time management and prioritizing. But first things first let me attend to one tiny detail at a time. Let me go through my day unhurried knowing that time is something lent me by God himself. Each day is a precious gift. I must not be stingy or mean. I must not neglect to find time to engage in conversation with a fellow human being giving him or her undivided attention –not the scant regard for people that is becoming commonplace because we have to attend to the next thing on the agenda. I have found when I find time for others life becomes so much more meaningful. I see how beautiful others are, and wonder of wonders- I discover that I too, am beautiful. Above all, let us find time to be holy.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

William Longstaff