Changing the Time

This morning, at 2:00 a.m., our clocks fell back by one hour. Daylight savings time is over. That means for those of us who live here in the U.S. (at least in most parts), the sun will rise earlier and set earlier. Thankfully, we will have a bit more light to help us get going in the morning, On the downside, however, many of us will be getting home from work in the dark. 

If you follow the news, you know that there has been a lot of debate as to whether or not we should keep daylight savings time all year long. This past summer, the House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act that would keep daylight savings time yearlong. The bill has stalled in the Senate with many noting that the dark mornings especially affect school-age children and their commute to school. 

You have to admit, it’s interesting how it is we can debate time and thus think we can control time. By subjectively changing our clocks, we determine what time the sun rises and sets. We can look at a clock and say it is 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. The same sun, same earth, our same place on the earth, but the time is different by a slight adjustment that we have decided to make. 

On the other hand, we have to be honest and admit, none of us can actually control the rising and setting of the sun, the rotation of the earth, nor its orbit around the sun—all the things that truly determine time. The real truth is, time is completely out of our hands. 

The Bible teaches us two important truths about time: 

1.  All time is in the hands of God. He is the One who created time. He is the One who can stop time.  The Psalmist wrote, “The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” (Psalm 74:16-17 - NIV) 

2.  Time will not last forever. For the Bible speaks of a day when there will be no more day and 

      no more night—i.e., no more time. The book of Revelation tell us, “There will be no more 

      night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give 

      them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5) 

Although we may be able to adjust our clocks to suit our needs the truth is, time is far out of our control. In fact, none of us knows how much time we have left here on earth. Thus, it is imperative that we take the time we have been given and use it the best we can to bless those around us and glorify God. 

Ultimately we must recognize with the psalmist, “…my times are in (God’s) hands….”  (Psalm 31:15) 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris