by Victoria Heinecke

Time is a gift from God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 New International Version

One of my favorite timepieces is our sundial. Year after year, it accurately tells the time of day as long as the sun is shining. No matter what the season or the angle of the sun in the sky, the current time is accurately displayed. And with a flick of the wrist, changing the setting to and from Daylight Savings Time is easy.

The words “Tempus Fugit” are sculpted on its face. The phrase is Latin for “time flies.” It doesn’t matter if I’m having fun. Time flies, and it seems to fly faster as I grow older. Since I no longer wear a watch and depend on opening my phone to check the time, time continues to slip a little bit every day.

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are approaching, and it seems that one tradition after another is not happening. There are no concerts, ballets, or plays to attend. School programs and performances are limited. Many will shop online, and social gatherings will be less common. Financial difficulties add to what appears to be a gloomy season.

Instead of focusing on what we cannot do, let us focus on the gift of time that God is giving us. Start the day with God. Make a cup of coffee or tea. Get a piece of paper or your journal, and say, “Hello God, how may I best use my time today?” Ask him in prayer where he wants you to be today, and with whom. Time is a free gift, meant to be shared.

“Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.“
Psalm 90:12 New International Version

The time for God is now.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado