Time Flies

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” I Corinthians 13:11 

On a large town hall clock in Switzerland are these words ornately carved:
“When I was a child I laughed and wept,
Time crept.
When as a youth, I dreamed and talked,
Time walked.
When I became a full grown man,        
Time ran.
When older still I grew,
Time flew.
Soon I shall find in traveling on,
Time gone.”

Each of us is in one of those groups, and rapidly moving to the next. Each day we do well to write on our heart that today will be the best day of our life. So don’t rush by today to get to tomorrow. Do not anticipate some future event so that you waste today’s world. Likewise, don’t be like a peacock whose glory is behind. Conversely, a past tense life is to never move into today’s world.

Nearly 5,000 years ago it was written in the ancient language of Sanskrit this tribute to time: “Look well to this day, for it and it alone is life. In the brief course of this one day lie all the verities and realities of your existence; the pride of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty. Yesterday is only a dream and tomorrow is but a vision. Yet, each day, well lived, makes each yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life.”

These words have long been known, but learned by few.

An old bromide known by most from youth is: “Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.” It might be added, you might enjoy it so much you will want to do it again tomorrow.

Philip Dormer Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield, originally stated it: “Know the true value of time. Snatch it, seize it, enjoy every second of it. No laziness, no idleness, no procrastination; never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

A current poster reads: “Today is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.” 

His gifts are always good. Make sure your gifts to Him is good for something.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90: 12)

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5: 15, 16)