Ready Or Not

by
Rev. Wayne E. Sova

The New Year is upon us. Whether we are ready or not - time marches on. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Dost thou love life? Then waste not time, for time is the stuff that life is made of." As we meet the New Year of 2010 let us be reminded of the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "What is time? The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock, the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months, years, centuries. These are but arbitrary and outward signs, that is to say, the measure of time and not time itself. Time is the life of the soul."

Let us consider that the supply of our time is a daily miracle, When we awake in the morning, we have within our possession twenty-four hours in which we can spend in a variety of pursuits. "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Time and tide wait for no man, so states an English proverb and once it has past cannot be reclaimed. We should not just make time but use time to make our mark.

"I have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it. I didn't seek it, didn't choose it - but it's up to me to use it and give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute but eternity is in it." Therefore, let us fill our time with that which lasts. Each moment holds an opportunity to make our mark, sharing in an act of kindness as well as engaging ourselves in meaningful growth experiences. "The clock of life is wound but once. No man has the power to tell where the hands will stop be it a late or an early hour." The present is our won. So live, love, toil as we will. Live for today not tomorrow. For tomorrow the clock may be still."