Only So Much Time

[0:00] A pastor's reflections, only so much time. Exodus 21.3. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself.! 1 Timothy 6.7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

[0:20] 2 Timothy 4.6-7. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.

[0:35] The time that we have been given is all the time that we have. Despite our desire to make more time for things, the reality is that no more time can be added to the time we already have. It is not the making of time, but the using of time that is in question. In Exodus 21, Moses is instructing the people in God's ordinances for servitude. God is clear to set boundaries upon the duration of a man's servitude. But he is just as clear to set the limits of what that man may ultimately gain from that servitude. No matter the amount of time and effort a servant may put into a project, at the end of his servitude, he ultimately walks away with nothing. All of his time was spent on that which belongs to another. For you and I, we each have been given a duration of time in which we must choose where to place our service. There is nothing we can do to gain more time. We have a fixed duration that cannot be altered. So instead of focusing on the time, let's instead focus on how we choose to spend that time. Matthew 6, 19 and 20. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. At the end of your servitude, what will you have to show for it? Will you choose to spend the time you have serving that which will only be left behind at your departure? Will all of your time and effort be spent on something that you can't take with you?

[2:30] Jesus had a limited duration of time that he spent upon this earth. Jesus chose to spend that time on securing and building something unseen, but eternal, the eternal kingdom of God.

[2:46] When Jesus departed, after his set time of servitude upon this earth was finished, he went with the only thing that could be taken with him, the bride. Exodus 21, 3.

[3:00] If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. At the end of your time, what will you possess that can be taken with you?

[3:15] Father, thank you for the time that you have given each of us. Thank you that even though there is nothing in this world that will go with us out of this world, there is a world that we can go to that is beyond this world. We desire to spend the time given to us on the things of that world, the things of eternity. Keep our hearts fixed upon the eternal treasure of the kingdom of God. Amen.