Too Late!

At the beginning of September, we had Rev. David Kim, his wife Rebecca, and their six-year-old son, Elijah at our church and in our home.  At one point, Elijah saw a picture on the wall of our home of my three children when they were young—probably 5, 3, and 2 years old.  When Elijah saw the picture he asked, “Who are those kids?”  I told him those were my children Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Joanna when they were little.  I then proceeded to show him a more current picture of them—ages 25, 23, and 22.  Elijah’s eyes widened and went back and forth between the two pictures. Finally, looking at the earlier of the pictures he said, “I’d like to play with those kids.” Then after a pause blurted out, “But, too late!” 

Well, he was right.  If Elijah wanted to play with Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Joanna at that earlier stage, he would have needed to show up about twenty years earlier—i.e. long before he was born!  Of course, he had no choice in the matter.  Yes, he was too late, but of no fault of his own. 

I wonder, however, how many times we have been too late, and it was our fault.  How many times have you and I missed out on something because of our poor decisions, lack of motivation, bad habits, or lack of foresight?  We think we have lots of time, but before we know it time has marched on and we find it’s too late—too late to restore a relationship, to do good for someone in need, to serve our community, to fulfill God’s call.  We wait for just the right time or fail to realize that it is just the right time, and end up allowing the opportunity to pass us by.  Before we know it, we are, too late! 

I think of Queen Esther of the Old Testament who had before her a great opportunity to help turn around a terrible situation for her people who were being threatened with slaughter.  As she debated what to do, her uncle came to her and said, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 – NIV)  In a sense, her uncle was saying “Esther, this is your moment in time to do what must be done.  Don’t let it pass by. Don’t wait until it’s too late!” 

What is it that you need to do today, now, in this moment in time? Is there someone to whom you need to show a little more love? Is there something significant that you need to get done? Maybe there’s someone you need to forgive. Maybe it’s time to follow God’s call on your life. Maybe it’s time to pick up the phone and make that call or sit down and write that letter (or email).  

You know what it is that you need to do.   

Now’s your time! Don’t wait until it’s too late! 

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris