What is “time?” There are several different definitions of time. Generally, dictionaries seem to provide “shades” of the meaning of time. The Oxford Dictionary describes time as “the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.” We can agree, to some extent, that time can be measured in segments of past, present, and future to indicate when and where an event, action, or a certain situation occurred. Just about everything depends on time or revolves around it. Time is also measured in units of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. Also, we understand that computer memory speed is measured in “nanoseconds,” Which is said to be “one billionth of a second.”
There are many interesting things about time. We sometimes ask these questions. “What time is it?” or “Do you have the time?” or “What time will I see you?” It is absolutely impossible to ,stop time, hold it back, or slow it down. Admittedly, time is something we must all reckon with everyday of our lives. We cannot see, feel, or touch time.
King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived (1 Kings 4:30,31), considered that life consists of various times and seasons. Hence, he wrote, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up 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 time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love and a time hate; a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). These verses present a balanced view of time that no one can deny.
Everyone should respect time and regard it essentially as a most precious commodity because it respects no one, irrespective of our position in life. Here are some examples of how time plays a major role in many aspects of a person’s life. We set ourselves a time to go to bed and a time to rise. We start our jobs at a set time and finish at a set time. We decide what time to leave home to get to the job. These examples, among so many others, demonstrate the inescapable significance of time in our daily lives. Even the sun and moon rise at a certain time and set at a certain. Also the four seasons of the year all begin and end at particular times.
“There is no time like the present” is a true statement. Why? because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Highlighting the fact that the present is the only time we can be certain of. Kay Lyons, Author, wrote the following, “Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have, so spend it wisely.” Yesterday is past and gone, never to return. Tomorrow is most uncertain. It is wise to make plans for the future, but unforeseen circumstances can easily disrupt and alter such plans. That’s why the Bible says “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.” (James 4:14). This also shows the uncertainty of life, and our absolute dependence on God who holds the future.