Sermon On A Measure Of Time

Lindsay Eagar, an American author once remarked: “Measuring time isn't as simple as adding or subtracting minutes from a clock. ... You must find your own measuring stick.”

Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

A measure of time is defined as an indefinite continued progress of existence and events which take into consideration the past, present and future, regarded as a whole. It has been stated that time can be measured in several spheres, notably seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years with the additional useful aid of clocks and calendars. In earlier days, a common measuring instrument was known as a sundial. However, an accurate or truthful measure of time might actually be considered an impossibility, as there are no physical properties that can be specifically measured.

Time measurement is regarded as an assessment of time intervals between two distinct points or events. These may include the allotted duration between day and night, dawn to dusk or the individual phases of the moon. However, in truth, these are merely indications, and a specific degree of accuracy, is indefinable. Genesis 1:1-5 reminds us: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

One function in life, regarding time, that is presumed as certain, is that time itself is never able to stand still. It is a seemingly continuous process that is unable to be controlled by humans in any way, shape or form. Some have questioned God’s relationship to time, this has been debated by theologians and philosophers alike. The general conclusion is that God’s existence does not incorporate time. He is beyond any scope of time comparison as His existence is, and has always been, eternal. His presence is continuous and prevails throughout all time. Romans 1:20 confirms: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Time is a difficult concept to fully understand, let alone measure. How can it be quantified? To some, it may be considered as pertinent or real, but to others, it is meaningless. Einstein determined that time is relative, but what does that actually represent? It has been stated: “At the deepest foundations of nature, time is not a primitive, irreducible element or concept required to construct reality.” Time cannot be seen as such, and therefore may be considered by a few as immaterial. Clocks and calendars provide an indication of time, but are they truthful? Some might argue that most clocks are not perfect time-keepers and are known to gain or lose time over a period, thus how can they be relied upon with any degree of accuracy? There are two stanchions of thought in modern physics that suggest that the Quantum theory, and Einstein’s theory of relativity quixotically go hand-in-hand. The principles of quantum mechanics and general relativity indicate that time and space are quantified into units called “Planck time.”

However, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 quantifies things more simply: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to 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 a 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 to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

Time can affect people in different ways, it may be used in a constructive perspective for the benefit of all, or become unproductive, which eventually creates barrenness. Our Godly life can be similar in deed. We can actively spread the Good News for the advantage of those who seek knowledge, and a closer relationship with God, or remain dormant which achieves little. John Wesley, an English cleric and theologian once remarked: “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”