Value Your Time. Value the Seasons.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Time comes to us empty. In turn, we are given the opportunity to fill it up. Time’s blank canvas can inspire greatness. For some, it becomes the quintessential building material for a strong foundation upon which dreams grow and the depths of our souls are discovered. For others, time can feel incredibly cruel.

Each moment that passes serves as a reminder of the painted pictures we so desperately want to forget. The hours of the day are spent obsessing over what should have been because we’ve decided we can’t make peace with what is. It’s a dangerous place to be because very easily, we can become lost in the emptiness.

A Gift from God

Time was never meant to be a place where we obsess over meaningless comparisons, harsh judgements, or past mistakes. Time was given to us by God so we could experience its presence, and by doing so, we would gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. We would learn that pain is as present as joy. Choices exist. Hurt is unpredictable and happiness has a direct correlation to gratitude.

Most importantly, we would learn to value time. We would truly understand that everything which has entered our lives over the course of time, exits our souls in the same way… with time. What we put in will eventually come out, and how it comes out is indicative of how it got there. For better or worse, time gives us the opportunity to experience every emotion while granting us with a continual stream of second chances. Even at our lowest points, each day where we open our eyes signifies that there is still time to take full advantage of whatever life there is left to live.

We may suffer for our past transgressions. We may have missed out because of our own shortcomings. We may feel empty because the people we love are no longer a part of our lives. Yet, time does not stop. It takes a lot of courage to live out the rest of our lives to the fullest, to be honest with ourselves and those around us and to accept that change will come even when we don’t want it.

Value Time. Value Patience.

It also takes patience to search for God when our vision is cloudy. Patience allows us to reach our dreams through meaningful steps. It’s what stops us from rushing through time to experience a journey where we build relationships instead of hollow interactions. It’s what allows us to form a connection with God through daily communion, even when it seems like the mountain isn’t moving. We learn to see the lessons and the blessings. Time allows us the ability to take it all in…and with God we have the wisdom to discern what we should let inside of our souls and how to make peace with whatever must come out.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh…A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-6

Time may be infinite, but our seasons are not.

Time becomes all too real when we are faced with the end of a season. No matter how quickly the seasons seem to come or go, time continues to beat at a steady rate. It is us who become incredibly sensitive or frighteningly dismissive to the way the clock ticks. We then abuse the gift of our own time and the time of others. Change is not a good reason cast aside what is most important. If anything, change is the time to remind ourselves of what should be valued…and that’s how we manage the time we have left.

No matter how difficult the road or how painful the choices, time is a blessing that we should cherish. Value time. It is the place where dreams become a reality, second chances take hold, and new paths are forged. Time is where God works in our lives, showing us His mercy and His love. Don’t let your time drift away. Find its value and acknowledge your season.