Sunday, March 25, 2012

The March of Time

Time seemed to pass so very slowly in my growing-up years. I thought my 16th birthday would never come, as that would make it possible to get a Beginner Driving Permit and in a few months lead to that coveted Driver's License when I could drive Dad's car all alone! TV, of course, was unheard of and we gleaned world and local news through the newspapers and radio...and the loafer's bench at Dad's store or over at Fender's Garage. However, if and when we enjoyed a movie at a theater in Veedersburg or Crawfordsville we would catch up on U.S. and world events by way of "The March Of Time" newsfilm showing. Why, some of those news reports were not more than a week old! Boy, how things have changed...it's old hat nowadays by the time it's reported on the TV evening news. I say all this to confess that "the march of time" has really caught up with me this month. I celebrated my 87th birthday on March 3...and to think I once fretted because #16 seemed never to arrive. But, believe me, time is marching on. In the Bible Job confessed: "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle" (7:6) and "my days are swifter than a post(man)" (9:25). The Apostle Paul advises us to be "redeeming the time (buying up opportunities), because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16) Looking back, life is like a blur...filled with burdens and blessings. I thank the Lord for His goodness, love and mercy in allowing me to reach age 21 when He relieved me of my burden of sin and gave me the blessing of forgiveness and eternal life. I don't know what the future holds, but as has been said, I know Him Who holds the future. Every day ahead will be a day of grace, because He goes with me and before me, and I just pray to live out my days to the blessing of others and the glory of my Saviour. In case the reader is struggling with the uncertainty of time, you can be sure of eternity with Jesus: "behold, now is the accepted time (to prepare); behold, now is the day of salvation!" (II Corinthians 6:2)