Losing track of time?

The Day Is At Hand

Billy Graham

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Romans 13:12

Let Us Put On the Armor of Light

I once read about a sundial on which was inscribed the cryptic message, “It is later than you think.” Travelers would often pause to meditate on the meaning of that phrase. Its author undoubtedly wanted to remind others of the shortness and uncertainty of life.

We Christians have a sundial—the Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation it bears its warning: “It is later than you think.” Writing to the Christians of his day, Paul said, “It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11–12, NASB).

Learn to live each day as if it were your last. Someday it will be.

Think about the last twenty-four hours. Did you love your neighbor well? Seek peace? Make disciples? Would you consider the hours well spent if they were your last before meeting Christ face to face?

Hope For Today

Q: Does God understand I can’t serve Him because I’m busy with work?

A: Some of the busiest men and women I’ve ever known were also some of the most committed to Christ, in spite of their schedules. One of them was my own father-in-law, Dr. L. Nelson Bell, whose career as a missionary, surgeon and influential church leader kept him constantly on the go.

How did they do it? The answer is that their lives weren’t broken up into a series of separate, unrelated compartments — family, career, finances, relaxation, religion, and so forth. Instead, Jesus Christ was at the center of everything they did, and He influenced everything they did. Christ was part of every “compartment” — and in fact He ruled them all! In other words, Christ wasn’t part of their lives just one hour a week, but 24 hours a day.

What is your priority in life? What is most important to you? Money? Success? Prestige? Pleasure? Or is it God and His will for your life? Be honest in your answer — and then ask yourself if your present goal in life is what it should be. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Don’t waste your life on things that will not last, but come to Jesus Christ and give your life to Him. Then ask Him to help you use your time wisely, and to put Him first in everything.