Faces on Faith: Making the most of our time
Recently we eclipsed one year since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. In a year’s time, we have lost more than a half million loved ones. We have also endured job loss, reoccurring health issues, isolation, financial distress, et cetera. Most of us can’t wait for this time to be over.
Yet, at the same time, I have spoken to people who made the most of this time. Heroes have emerged from health care workers, first responders and ordinary people who took it upon themselves to do their part in relieving the suffering of others. They made the most of their time. I asked a person the other day how she has handled self-quarantine this past year. She smiled and said she did a lot of reading and took up painting. For her, isolation wasn’t easy, but she tried to make the most of the time. Just the other day I read a devotional that spoke volumes of making the most of our time. The author compared our life span with eternity. Even if we were to live 100 years, compared to eternity we have only a small amount of time on this earth. So the author encourages the reader to make the most of their time. “Whatever good we do, do it now! Treat every moment as if infinitely rare and of infinite value … because it is. For every moment, and your life itself, comes around only once in eternity.”
As we grow older we tend to look back at the time we have spent on this earth. We sometimes commiserate on time wasted. We might also reflect on how time seems to fly by. Thus the devotional speaks to us loud and clear, make the most of your time. The Apostle Paul is famous for writing letters to churches all over the Mediterranean world. In his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, people he loved dearly, he writes these words, “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5: 15-16).
So whatever time we have left on Earth, may we follow three simple rules written by John Wesley: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
The Rev. Larry L. Marshall is the pastor at the Captiva Chapel by the Sea.