Time has this unique quality of passing by really fast. Fall is almost over already, do you believe it? As a parent you can relate to time slipping away. Your baby is all of a sudden driving a car! Nothing can stop the hand of time; in fact, the psalmist tells us that our time is in His hands (Psalm 31:15). One thing a parent will never say is, “I wish I did not spend so much time with my child.” In fact it is usually the opposite sentiment. As I look back at my own children’s lives it amazes me to see my 14 year old daughter and 12 year old son. They were in my arms in what seems to be only a moment ago!
The reality of time should have us prioritizing time with our children. We can seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) with our wives and children by our sides. We can be “in the ministry” and still tend to our God-ordained first ministry (our families). A soccer game, dance recital, musical all matter in Kingdom economy. Attending your children’s activities matter more to them than you realize. Family vacations matter, dinner together matters, and time together in general matters. Jesus spent 3.5 years with 12 men who were His family, His brothers, and His children all at the same time. When Jesus was being crucified He told His mother Mary, “Behold your son”, and He told John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:26,27). Jesus desired that both of these family members would be cared for as “time” marched on.
Another angle to examine concerning time is each individual’s “appointed time” spoken of in Hebrews 9:27. We have a time in which we all will meet our Maker. This is by far the most sobering time-table of all. Why? We do not know when our appointed time is. Recently I was at a Buffalo Bills game with my family and friends. I sat in awe as I gazed over the packed stadium. Every individual there was appointed to meet God and destined for heaven or hell. I was taken aback by how some people invest everything into something that is going to be pointless in the end. Don’t miss the point; I’m a football fan but I’m a Jesus fanatic. I do not want anyone or anything to ever take the place of Jesus in my life. Time is short. A pigskin and countless other things can actually become an idol and in turn steal time from our loved ones.
We can enjoy freely all things but “our time” should be invested in things that matter. All of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is geared toward “kingdom living on earth”, redeeming the time. In the book of James we are told that life is but a vapor that appears for a while then vanishes (4:14). What is the legacy we will leave for our children? What was our time investment with them? Do not let time pass with a half-hearted attitude.
I will end this article by quoting the late D.L. Moody: “Our greatest fear should not be failure but rather succeeding at things that don’t matter.”
Husbands, fathers, families, redeem the time for we do not know what tomorrow holds. We are praying for your families.
