I’m a very deep and philosophical bird. In fact, some humans have been known to refer to me as a “feathery Einstein.” And the other day, I found myself quietly reflecting on the question of ‘Time.’ Because we have annual seasons; we have day and night; we have the ocean tides and the passing of minutes, hours, weeks and years. The passage of time is something that none of us can stop. And so this means that our time here on Earth is limited, and that can add a certain urgency to the way we view or live out our lives. In fact, you could say that we’re all slaves to the passing of time…
“We spend our lives on the run. We get up by the clock, eat and sleep by the clock, get up again, go to work. And then we retire. And what do they give us as a retirement present? A blooming clock!”
(Dave Allen: [1936-2005]: Irish comedian)
Many humans want to have more control over the lives that they live, but although they can tinker with time, they are never fully able to control it…
“Aside from Velcro, time is the most mysterious substance in the universe. You can’t see it or touch it, yet a plumber can charge you upwards of seventy-five dollars per hour for it without necessarily fixing anything.”
(Dave Barry: [1947-Present]: American author and columnist)
Everything around us has a finite life. Mayflies live for just 24 hours while the Fortingall Yew Tree in Perthshire, Scotland, is estimated to be between 2000 and 3000 years old. That may seem very old, but when compared to the age of the Earth, it is little more than the blink of an eye. For scientists estimate that the Earth was formed between 3.9 and 4.4 billion years ago. And even 4.4 billion years is nothing when compared to the concept of eternity.
Even for a brainy parrot, this is all quite mind-blowing. But as our time here on Earth is clearly very limited, we need to use it very wisely. And maybe we shouldn’t be so scared of dying…
“Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.”
(John Milton: [1608-1674]: English poet famous for “Paradise Lost”)
But we should probably consider more carefully how our actions and behaviour here on Earth may impact on what is to come…
“Every action of your life touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” (Edwin Hubbel Chapin: [1814-1880]: American preacher)
If Jesus hadn’t come to Earth, (and it was only 2000 years ago), then the passing of time and the threat of final death would place an immovable shadow over every hint of peace, joy, hope and contentment in our lives. But mercifully, it isn’t like that. Because He did come, and He came to save us all…
“Jesus Christ, in His infinite love, has become what we are, in order that He may make us entirely what He is.”
(Irenaeus of Lyon: [C130AD-C202AD]: Greek Bishop associated with Southern France)
And so instead of us being left to miserably count down the days until our final demise, death has now become something to rejoice about, because it is our gateway into the eternity of Heaven. So perhaps Mayflies don’t have such a bad deal after all. Strange and mysterious as it may seem!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His
Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)
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