Scientists estimate that the Big Bang occurred approximately fourteen billion years ago. Some scientists hypothesize that billions of years from now the universe will spread so far that it will cool and go dark. Others propose that one day it will retract and then explode all over again. Many of us believe that God, who was before there was a before and who will be after there no longer is, extends beyond that. Whichever way we look, we find infinity. That means that time actually has little meaning.
T. S. Eliot pointed to something like that in these lines from "Burnt Norton":
TIME present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
If we find our home in One who was before there was a before and who will be after there no longer is, every moment always has been and will be. Time is merely a construct, a useful tool to help us measure and order life - nothing less, nothing more.
A sense of time's progression seems to be woven into my DNA. For as long as I can remember, I had awareness of things drawing near. On the way to the gym Monday morning, I reminded my bride that it was two months until Christmas Eve. I'm not certain why I realized that. I just did. Nancy was not overjoyed with that awareness.
Part of my awareness of time's progression reflects an inclusive leadership style. When leaders plan ahead, others have greater opportunity to contribute and critique. But awareness of time's progression offers a more personal gift as well. Looking at what is drawing near helps me to set goals (like losing weight to keep up with our grandchildren), to set priorities (like seeing our children more often), and to decide what matters most. Time may be a construct, but my earthly life isn't. I hope and want to move purposively in certain directions, and not simply to react.
Time may be a construct, but my earthly life isn't. That brings awareness that life is short. Today is the best day to live. Today is the best day to express gratitude for life by living well, gladdening hearts, touching lives, awakening faith. If, for example, I wait until Christmas Eve to celebrate incarnation, I miss the preciousness of God With Us here and now. After all, since every moment of time always has been and will be, it is Christmas Eve today. I can savor our candlelit celebrations even while preparing for them!
What's the point? Like most of us, I have more to do than I can do. Sometimes that makes me fret about time. I don't like leaving important things undone. That should not, however, keep me from celebrating what is done, and more importantly, the people whom I touch and by who I am touched. That viewpoint springs from my conviction that, by the grace of God, in fourteen billion years what will matter most is the relationships.
Grace and Peace,
LP
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