Greenwich Mean Time

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ”
– Psalm 90:12

Recently, my wife and I had the privilege of visiting London, England. We stayed in a section of town where the Royal Observatory is located, which is on the Prime Meridian —longitude zero. There, the time, commonly known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), is set for the whole world. All other time zones follow this clock, and life would be very confusing without it.

Thinking about that standard of time, I began to ponder God's perspective of time. Time is one of the most valuable things God gives us in this life, and it is vital that we have our perspectives on the matter aligned to His. God's view of time is sometimes different from ours because He views time in light of eternity; however, we can learn much about His perspective through His Word.

One fact about God's time is that seeking Him is an urgent command. As soon as He speaks to our hearts, it is time to respond! Scripture says, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), and, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). We do not have to wait for an appointed time to seek God; He wants us to seek Him now.

The Bible also tells us that we are to be laborers in the Gospel today . Not next week, or next year, or after we are “settled” in life, but today. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). We do not know when the night will come, but it has not come yet, so we must work for Him today.

The Psalmist said, “My times are in thy hand” (Psalm 31:15), and that is a fact for us as well. It is in God's hands to end our time on earth through death or Jesus' Second Coming, and He has already appointed the timing of those events. In fact, God has even appointed the day when one of His angels will declare that “there should be time no longer” (Revelation 10:6), and then eternity will begin. Thus, we need to act with the knowledge that this life is only temporary, and the life hereafter is eternal. If we keep that in mind, we will follow the good advice someone once passed on to me: “Live in such a way that what you do in life outlives you.”

Our life is the duration of time that God gives us to accomplish something for Him. If we follow the wise counsel of our focus verse, we will surely be pleased when Greenwich Mean Time “is no longer.” M ay God help us to thank Him for giving us the precious commodity of time, and to use it for His glory.

Father in Heaven, Help me to be faithful to use the time that You have given me for the honor and glory of Your name. May it be said of me, “He may rest from his labors, but his works do follow him.” Amen.