Living on Borrowed Time!

Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15-16

Al Senter was a member of the church in Flower Mound .  You could say that during my entire 13 years at Lamb of God Al was literally “living on borrowed time.”  Sometime before I came to Lamb of God, Al was told (these are my terms not the doctors) that his heart was dying, that it was only a matter of time before he died.  How did he live another 13 years? That’s a story of God’s grace, of good doctors and of Al’s detailed attention to his own health.  At one point, Al was the one of the first recipients of an artificial heart.  My reason for telling you all of this is not to recount for you his medical history but to make the point that for Al, each new day, each new minute was a gift from God. 

How did he use that time?    Well for those of you who don’t know him, Al’s passion was for teaching the Word of God. Al, a layman, taught adult bible class in different churches for some 60 years.  He knew the Bible better than many Pastors.  That’s how he used his “borrowed time.”  He determined to make the most of every moment God gives him.  So he kept teaching Bible Class.  He wrote and recorded 168 bible lessons for the internet. He then took those internet messages and published a book about the message of God’s Word. He used every moment right up to just two days before I did his funeral, my last at Lamb of God.

For me, Al’s story is a reminder that we all live on borrowed time!  Every day, every minute and every second is a gift from God.  That’s the point, I believe of Paul’s words - “Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”    Recently, I made the point in this blog that everything in this world belongs to God. Everything we have is a gift from Him.  That includes time.  He is the creator of time.  He gave us life and thus our time in this world. Because we are sinners that means that what time we have  is a gift of grace.  It’s a gift redeemed for us when He redeemed us, when He gave His Son to die for us, when Jesus rose again that we might have all eternity.  In every sense, we are all living on borrowed time.  The Psalmist acknowledges as much with his famous prayer, “Teach us O Lord to number our days aright…”

So how can you and I honor God with this time He lends to us?  There are a number of ways to answer this question.  For me, one way is to ask the question, “What will I regret on my deathbed?”  I know I will regret not spending more time with Linda, our kids and grandkids.  Of all the callings in life that God has given me – being husband, father, brother and grandfather are the most important.   Family is among the greatest gifts He has given.  One of Linda’s love languages is to have me spend time with her.  Family is the most important mission field He calls any of us too.  What better to spend time on than teaching, and showing His love to family. 

Or look at the rest of your callings?  What kind of worker have you been?  Have you used your time at work to be an honest, hardworking, productive person?  What kind of neighbor or friend are you – someone there to help… someone people can count on?  Are you too busy for people who need you?  What about your calling as a child of God?  A church member?  This list could go on and on?

I know that this list could result in some heavy guilt.  So let me relieve that guilt with this reminder.   Do you take time for yourself – to care for yourself spiritually, physically and emotionally?  He wants you to.  Even God rested on the seventh day.  The God who created the Sabbath, created it for you – because He wants to refresh You with His word.  He desires that you take time to enjoy His creation… to play… to rest. You can not serve him without Him first serving you. You need daily, weekly  time with Him and He is so glad to give it. This is time well spent.

My point is this.  We all are living on borrowed time!  Each day, each moment is a gift from Him.  Make the most of His time. Enjoy, work, praise, serve, worship, love, give, receive, befriend, forgive, rest in Him.  There is not a moment to lose.