I write a lot on this topic, but from what I see in my own life and the lives of the Church at large, we’re simply not getting it. We are running out of time. Every moment we spend engaged in doing something other than for the Kingdom is a moment forever lost. It’s a moment that might just cost someone their eternal salvation. While we are content to watch the latest movie, surf the web, check Facebook, or feed our faces, time is ticking off the clock forever.
To be a follower of Christ means to lay down everything for Him. We sing passionately about doing so on Sunday’s, but before we even leave the church building our minds our focused on everything but Jesus. While this problem is not exclusive to Western Christianity, it certainly is badly festering within it. Our lives are consumed by the need to keep up with society. We are bombarded by media that demands our attention. Cell phones, iPads, video games, televisions and the internet provide a constant distraction that we are only too content to feed. Meanwhile, another child dies in Africa; another young girl is enslaved in Thailand; and another man goes to the grave in America without anyone ever telling him about the love of Jesus Christ.
We are on borrowed time, and it’s been that way since the day we were born. How many years did we waste until we came to know Jesus? How many years have we wasted since then consumed by our own selfish desires while giving no more than lip service to the mission of Jesus Christ? When was the last time you actually missed a meal? Then consider this: when was the last time you prayed for someone who struggles to get a single meal each day? When was the last time you actually did something about that?
Each day brings a new set of 24 hours. Each of us is given the same allotment of time to use. We can squander it the way everyone else does, or we can use each second that we are given to further the message and love of Jesus. The choice should be simple. We are pledged to Jesus, so we must do the work He called us to do. More often than not, we choose to do otherwise. How can we then in good conscience call ourselves true followers of Christ?
Jesus said if we followed Him we would have to leave our homes and families behind (Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:61-62); nothing was as important as following Him (Luke 9:59-60). Our time on earth is to be spent reflecting His love to a world in need by feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, giving shelter to the homeless, and caring for the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-46). We are to look after orphans and widows and keep ourselves from being infiltrated by the ways and concerns of this world (James 1:27). So how are you doing? Are you making the most of your time? (Ephesians 5:15-16) Are you spending each moment in a way that is honoring to God? We have no guarantee of tomorrow; we cannot wait to change. We are far from where we need to be, and we are running out of time.
) Are you spending each moment in a way that is honoring to God? We have no guarantee of tomorrow; we cannot wait to change. We are far from where we need to be, and we are running out of time.