FIVE MORE MINUTES
By: C. Mason Davis
A man climbs to the top of a hill to have a conversation with God. The man asks, "God, for you, how long is a thousand years?" God replies, "For me, a thousand years is only five minutes." The man then asks, "And for you, how much is a million dollars?" God replies, "For me, a million dollars is only five cents." The man, with a hopeful glint in his eye, asks, "Well then, God... could you lend me five cents, please?" Then God says, "Of course, my son. Give me five minutes!"
Today’s Scripture
James 5:7-11 says, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
What these verses are stating is that everything happens and comes in God’s time. We must deal with whatever comes when it happens as there are no do-overs.
In today’s competitive environment everyone gives more priority to winning and being the best, both personally and professionally. People have hectic routines to achieve their goals in life. You should always ensure to maintain a good work life balance. Spend some time with your family members and friends. No matter how busy things get, don’t forget to spend time with people that matter to you! It’s very sad when family members stop talking to each other. The day will come when you regret it. It’s called a funeral. Paul tells us that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 states: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Thus, regret can draw us to salvation.
Time is a funny thing, specifically Dads, as they always saying things like 'There’s no time!' when he’s trying to get the little ones dressed in the morning, and he begs for 'Five more minutes' when they’re jumping on his bed, trying to make him wake up. Another great message to learn from your past mistakes are to accept them and ensure not to repeat them in the future. Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. So, be proactive rather than reactive. All that matters in the end is that you loved the one’s you’ve lost and that those lost loved you. May the tears you cried last year water the seeds you’re planting this year.
I have found that most of the people say they are earning a good living by doing hard work to support their family. I agree that money is an important aspect for their education and other needs but ensure to spare some time out of your busy schedule to spend with them. Be it playing along with them, going to movies, play zones in malls or cycling along with them, will help in enhancing bonding and also lessen stress for yourself. Life is a race, it’s all about making priorities. Give someone you love five more minutes of your time today and see the difference; no matter how busy or late you are.
Patience is a spirit of serenity in the face of adversity. The spirit of serenity is a calmness of senses that everything is okay. Now for some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the amount of patience you have today is not the amount of patience you're stuck with. It’s not fixed. It's not like there's patient people and impatient people, and if I didn't get a heavy dose of patience when God was doling out spiritual gifts and attributes and personalities, then I just have to learn to cope with the gifts that God did bless me with.
Patience in people is built, not something you’re born with. You can grow in having patience. That's the good news. The bad news is that the only way to grow in your patience is to face vexing circumstances, difficult people, difficult situations, where you feel depleted of all strength. Isaiah 40:31 states: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." That’s the biblical definition of patience. What you must do is ask God to bless you with more patience. Then, believe he's answered your request, even though you won't feel any more patient, and practice as though your prayer has been answered. By becoming more patient and less controled, you won’t be blinded by your tasks or schedules to the point that you don’t notice all the other’s in need of five more minutes of your time as you race to do other things.
So why is God waiting today? There are more people that haven't trusted in Him, more people that haven't heard the precious gospel. So, God is patient. That's who he is. He's patient with us. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." As much as we all like to have this idealized image of what the future is going to be one day, God always wants us right now in the present to know all we have is today, so all we can do is face what's in front of us with the belief that He is in control and not believe that we can get a five minute do-over anytime we miss our moment.
What is God saying? He's saying He's the God of five more minutes. When He should judge, He doesn't. He chooses to wait. When He should be angry, He holds it back. In the Bible we're told that God holds back wrath. Why hasn't Jesus come back yet? Why hasn't He righted all the wrongs? Well, let me just ask you this question. If you've come to Christ late in your life, aren't you glad he didn't come back before you’re able to see the light? Colossians 4:5: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time" (meaning making the best use of time).
If we have a settled confidence of God's sovereignty, then we can have the relaxed confidence of His kids who know that our Father knows best and has planned good for us, and we can trust Him. In those moments, we're going to instead give God five more minutes. And at the end of that, we're going to give Him five more minutes. We just have to know that He's got a plan. I know it looks bad, but I choose to believe in the goodness of God even when life is bad.
We cry out for mercy for us, but cry for judgment of others. And that's why we can tend to end up in sour moods. Psalm 31:15: "My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me." And that's why James says we ought to love each other like a family. Other people in your life are on a journey, too. Other people in your life are developing too and are trying to figure out things, too. And so what that means is not grumbling or being rude and curt with others. You have no idea what others have been through lately. I think it's hard for us to be patient with ourselves, but it can be even more difficult for us to be patient of others. And for whatever reason, we want grace for ourselves, but because we’re not in a good mood or being too impatient, we don’t grant any grace to others.
Just a prayer, a smile, or a kind word, or choosing to not take the bait and let them drag you into a fight can help. Maybe it's just not stooping to that level, not getting goaded into a situation where you then say things you regret. Within the body of Christ, there needs to be that love because when it's not present, it is one of the greatest oppositions to the word that we're meant to live by.
If things aren't ending right, that just simply means it's not the end. I choose to still believe that the best is yet to come, and that God does have good in store. He has His goodness and not evil in mind for us. Acts 1:7 states: "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." We must learn to speak to God, but more importantly, how to listen to Him. God speaks to us in at least three primary ways: Through His word, through the Holy Spirit, and through our life circumstances. Most Christians know at least a little about hearing the voice of God by studying the Bible and by listening to the Holy Spirit in prayer. The good and bad in life are much easier to balance and live through when we speak and listen to God.
For example: While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. “He’s a fine-looking boy”, the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.” Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?” Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.” The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called his daughter again. “Time to go now?” Again, Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.” The man smiled and said, “OK.” “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded. The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake as Melissa. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play.” She can have as many 5 minute extentions as she wants or is possible.
Some of the reasons to ask to go back 5 minutes are: regrets, mistakes, accidents, to undo events, to change a decision made, or a second chance. Some of the reasons to ask for 5 more minutes are: grief, the loss of someone or a pet, to say goodbye, to bring peace to those left behind, unfinished business, or guilt.
So, make moments count. Ephesians 5:15-16 says: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Make the time. Make priorities. Make your gifts known. Make a nobody feel like a somebody. Make your voice heard. Make the small things big. Make someone smile. Make the change. Make peace. Make sure to tell your people they are loved. Most of all, make God your inspiration for a life well spent here on earth and for all eternity. Make sure to have no regrets.
Is regret worse than guilt? As an emotional response to a distressing experience, the sound of the word “guilt” is harsher and more of a self-reproach than the word “regret.” If you say, “I feel so guilty” you should make sure that the deed and circumstances surrounding it actually warrant your feeling of guilt rather than regret.
Regrets reflect a tender heart. Regret that goes on and on, is likely from the world or a weapon Satan is using against you. Satan doesn’t want us to enjoy the forgiveness and salvation we can have from God when we allow our regrets to bring us to Him. Releasing our past into God’s hands makes renewal, rebirth, and beauty possible. A life paralyzed by regret robs us of the greater sense of grace, gratitude, and joy that is in store for those who know Jesus has forgiven them. Why should God forgive your mistakes if you won’t forgive yourself for making your mistakes? Your regret can be a catalyst for change.
The moral is… Life is all about making priorities, and family is the one and only priority on top of all others, so spend all time you can with loved ones. Life is too short to live in the past with regrets. Life is too short to live in the future with past regrets. Live your life so you won’t have to pray for five more minutes. If you could erase all the mistakes of your past, you would also erase all the wisdom of your present. So, remember the lesson, not the disappointment.
Living your life without regrets or having to ask for 5 more minutes is like giving yourself the gift of peace, and heaven only knows that the best gifts come without bows. And it’s for God’s gift of peace that I pray for all of us to have throughout our lives. Amen!
