Now Is the Appointed Time

Beginnings and endings, finite measures of years meted out for us again and again, season after season, generation after generation, age after age—all amount to little more than markers of time. The clock strikes and we call it an hour. A calendar page turns while a bud blooms or leaves fall or icicles grow, and we call it a season. A baby is born and we say it is a new generation; teens pound the sidewalk with their pants falling off and we say it is a lost generation; a grandfather dies and we say that he belonged to a good generation. Fashions, inventions, and empires rise and fall, and we call it an age.

In a world surrounded by measures of things begun and things ended, it is easy to forget the timeless eternity awaiting us as immortal souls. We only sojourn here, obedient to our positions on the musical score of life on earth, like notes on parchment, passionately scrawled onto staffs of the greatest symphony ever written. Yet the master composer is timeless in His timing, eternal in His positioning of notes, and unlimited in His creations.

We long for the infinite and seek to imitate it in every way; we build the tallest buildings, run the fastest mile, lift the heaviest weights, earn the most money, and do our best in achieving all our goals. Measures of time assist our journey here on earth by giving us a sense of stability, for which of us can really comprehend eternity? Which of us does not shudder at the thought that when this life is done, whatever comes next is forever?

Let us take into consideration the timelessness of Jesus Christ come to earth as a baby in a manger. We may take confidence that the infinite is not to be dreaded but embraced, and that heaven is not beyond our reach, because heaven has already come to us in utter helplessness and humility. There is no heart, however small, which He will not bless when it receives him—in the tiniest of rooms allotted He will gladly rest. Now is the season in which the eternal embraces the finite life of man; now is the generation of Life without end; now is the age of Faith, Hope, and Love.

“For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Let us encourage one another to embrace each moment throughout the year in a spirit of thanksgiving for the time we have. Let us remember that every second is a new measure of time in which we may find the Infinite, Who is ever ready to light our path to heaven, where time is measured no more.

Wishing you all a very joyous season, with many blessings on your journey here in time. Thank you all for being with me in varying degrees on mine. God Bless you, and Happy New Year!