Are you a clock watcher? Do you keep a constant eye on the calendar to know what’s coming next?
What happens when you can’t trust time?
Join us for Days 38-40 of our Lenten readings.
We’re in our last three days of Lent readings. As we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday, these stories from Jesus can lead us into a deeper level of trust despite the unknown.
When we can’t trust time—and we can’t control it or change it or predict it—we can place our trust in God’s goodness.
1. When You Don’t Know the Time, Stay Awake
Read Matthew 24:36-44 for Thursday, Day 38
We just don’t know when some things will happen. There were “whens” that God didn’t even tell Jesus when He was living in our time zone.
When Jesus was telling His listeners about His future coming in these scriptures, He said that no one knew the hour—or even the day—that it would be; only God knew.
But Jesus didn’t leave them (or us) without instruction in the waiting. When you don’t know when something is coming, stay awake for it. Be ready.
In big and small ways, the Master comes to us every day. And He often comes when we don’t expect Him. Maybe it’s through a sister’s email or a baby’s babbling or a spring lightning storm. But if we’ll stay vigilant, we’ll be ready to welcome His arrival.
Trust that Jesus always comes, is always here, and we won’t be caught off-guard.
2. When You Can’t See Him Working, Do Your Work Now
Read Matthew 24:45-51 for Friday, Day 39
Who is put in charge? Ideally, it’s the one who will do the work. The one who is dependable. The one who is responsible. With or without the tangible presence of the boss.
In this story we see the workers throwing a party when the boss is out of town. When the boss shows up—unannounced and unexpected—the workers get thrown out.
We typically do not know when the Lord will act. When will He restore what was lost? When will He bring closure to a distressing situation? When will He deliver us from a difficult season of life?
We can’t know His timing. But we can know this: He will show up right on time. And when He does, will He find us faithful? Will we still be trusting, still be loving, still be holding hope?
When we don’t see God working in our Friday, let’s do our work now anyway. Do the good we know to do. We’ll be blessed when Sunday arrives and the Master’s behind-the-scenes work becomes visible.
3. When You’re Out of Time, Know He’s Coming
Read Matthew 25:1-13 for Saturday, Day 40
This final reading is the parable of the Ten Wise and Foolish Virgins. We’re reminded how easy it is to misallocate our resources, including under or overestimating our time. Five of the young virgins used all their oil quickly and their lamps burned out. But the other five brought extra supplies of oil, and even though the bridegroom was delayed, their candles were still lit.
Timing is rarely up to us.
But even though we don’t know when, we can trust who.
If we keep our eyes on the person of Jesus Christ, knowing that He will always come through for us, we can keep our lamps of hope burning. Even when He’s late in our estimation, we won’t run out of reserves to believe in Him.
Watch Jesus, Not the Clock
Our clocks and our calendars can help us manage our time, but they are inadequate to prepare us for life’s uncertainty.
Whether we’re in a day of walking to the tomb with Jesus or walking out of it, we’ll walk steadier when we keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the clock.
When we rely most on who we know, the when matters much less.
Do you always know what time and day it is? How do you remain flexible with the Lord’s plans? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Amen, Lisa! Keeping our eyes on Jesus, not the clock – such great wisdom you’ve shared here today.
Blessings!
Thanks, Martha. As a clock-watcher myself, it’s advice I have to repeat to ME again and again. :)
And now, out of time, it seems
I’ve used my last reprieve.
No more completed dreams,
and that’s hard to believe.
The final storm is bearing down,
there’s thunder in the air,
and He holds MY thorny crown
that I alone must wear.
I do not fear death’s yawning door
for I won’t pass through alone.
He’s at my side, my sins He bore
and in bearing, could atone.
I have to pass through desperate pain,
but He’ll bring me out to life again.
“for I won’t pass through alone” – That’s what stands out to me, Andrew. And this: “but He’ll bring me out to life again.” Praising Him for these truths. Thanks for sharing your beautiful and important poetry here.
Since our Father is sovereign over His creation, including time, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to serve a clock…
I’m not a clock watcher and I rarely know the date, to fault probably.
Time is His gift to us. May we worship the Time Giver and not the time.
Excellent post and point.
And may I take this to heart: “May we worship the Time Giver and not the time.” Thanks, Floyd.
I can easily get the date mixed up. But unfortunately I keep the time close at hand (and the clock is usually ticking too fast for me). I want to be better about it.
Yes, time is such a strange concept Lisa! We can only but focus on Jesus!
I found “Waiting in the meantime…” interesting https://teawithjennifer.blog/2018/11/09/patience-in-the-waiting/ you may enjoy it too.
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa,
He is Risen!
Jennifer
Yes, time is one of those things that the more you think about, the weird it gets. ha. Thanks for sharing the link to your post, Jennifer; it was very interesting and relevant to the conversation here. Have a blessed Easter!
You’re welcome Lisa :-D
Yesss… Keep your eyes on Jesus not the clock! So important! Blesings!
Or maybe I should get a clock with a Jesus face on it? :) It would be a reminder for me of where to really focus.
“He often comes when we don’t expect Him. Maybe it’s through a sister’s email or a baby’s babbling or a spring lightning storm. But if we’ll stay vigilant, we’ll be ready to welcome His arrival.” And I see his coming several times this week into my life.
Yay! That’s always exciting, isn’t it? I was able to keep my granddaughter a couple of days this week and I definitely saw Jesus again and again in our time together. I’m thankful that He continues to show up to us in all kinds of places.
Im a clock watcher too. My feeble attempt to control my life. LOL. Love how you weaved the Bible verses into this reflection too. Thanks
I totally relate, Jean. We all grasp for control in one form or another; at least once we recognize it, we can pray for change. Thanks for sharing. Praying you have a blessed Easter!