What is time?

Have you ever wondered, "What is time? What is the meaning of time? Does time really matter?" Our society lives in a "Give me what I want, when I want it" mentality. We have fast food, high speed internet; almost anything we need at the touch of a button. There is a specific reason and meaning for timing yet we have lost all sense of that in our selfish attitudes and get happy quick reasoning. 

There are a few events in a persons life that timing is essential. When a person is born the date is documented on the birth certificate. There was someone who found the importance of documenting the time of birth, as well as the time of death.  There is a time and season for everything. When to start school. When to get a drivers license. Time is essential. It is key. History is recorded with detail, time specific events. Still why is this so important?

Let's dive a little deeper into the concept of timing...

Imagine a lavish party, walls packed with people. Alcohol flowing freely, food continually being supplied; the party lasting for days. One hundred eighty days to be exact. Six months. The man responsible for throwing such a lavish party had nothing in mind. It to impress his guests; guests that held positions in high places. He decided to continue to show off, demanding his wife be brought out, dressed to the nines. The eye candy, the ultimate trophy wife. He sent for her, and to his ultimate embarrassment, she refused. In his anger and embarrassment he dismissed her. She was never to return to his house again. This woman defended herself, refused to be treated like an item and she was treated harshly. 

Do you see God in this? Where? What was the timing factor? God had a plan the whole time. He knew that it was time for a new woman to enter into the house, to bring forth a plan. 

The man didn't waste any time looking for a new wife. He refused to be alone, a man with such a status needed a beautiful woman by his side. He set about using a contest to find the perfect wife. It was to include every beautiful woman from the land. They were to be sent away for a year, spending time preparing to be a wife. Spa time, facials, pedicures, hair products upon hair products. (To be honest, a year of spa life? Where do I sign-up?!) Anyway, the procedure was supposed to last for exactly one year, nothing more nothing less. The time came for the women to be brought before the man, one by one they passed before him. Face after face, name after name, but then there was one face, one name that stood out above the rest. Esther. She was the one, the woman who was to fulfill the plan that God had set in motion. Did she know? Did she see the bigger picture? God had appointed her for a time such as this. This was His timing, the waiting, the preparation. She was steadfast and remained patient during the year long process orf preparation. Did she hope to be chosen? She didn't run at the opportunity, didn't fear. She chose to be herself, who The Lord had called her to be. His hand was heavy upon her at that time. The specific time. 

Sometime later she is faced with the choice of being silent or crying out on behalf of her people. Should she take the risk and ask her new husband to protect an entire nation? Is that why she had been called? Hand chosen by God. For a time such as this, to SAVE HER PEOPLE! Her becoming the kings wife wasn't by chance, by luck; but by a series of circumstances strategically placed by The Lord. Esther 4:14 says "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  She knew she was called, she answered, and chose to risk all she had gained for her people, it was the right time. 

What season are you in now? Is God preparing you for something? Are you staring your fears in the face? Are you enjoying the fruit of what He has called you to do? No matter the circumstance ask yourself, "Do you believe His timing is perfect?" In the "Give me what I want, when I want it mentality" is that a belief you hold onto? If we can grasp this concept and allow His peace to settle in our hearts, then we have confidence in Christ! We will see that His timing is perfect, his promises ring true. Though times be appear tough we can be confident that He has only the best planned for our lives. If we trust His timing and choose to live a life in constant preparation then we may be the one used to change a life, or rescue a nation. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says: "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck 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; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw 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 of war, And a time of peace.” And then verse 11 says "He has made everything beautiful in its time.”  The Lord is specific and intentional. He is working out a divine plan in you right now, stay on that path. His plans will be fulfilled.

So, I ask you, "What is time? Does it really matter?”