It has been said that "you can't step into the same river twice". The argument goes that once you step into the river, that which you stepped into is already moving downstream and so when you put your foot into the river anew, you are putting it into water that was not there previously(up-stream) because that which you initially stepped in is now down-stream.
Time, when compared to this analogy is like a river. Constantly flowing and changing. Each moment in and of itself is something unique. This has led some to posit then that the only constant is change. From a humanistic position that would seem to be true. Is this really what the Scriptures teach? That everything is in a constant flux and that nothing is what it was because of the constant state of change or rather, flow of time?
Lamentations 3:23 does teach us that His mercies are "new" every morning. The idea behind new, though, is not "uniquely" new in that it has not existed before but rather the idea of "refreshed". Continuing with this "stream" of thought, consider Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever". No change discernible in that River of Life. As with many of the thoughts of men, when compared to the wisdom of God, the time analogy falls short. Jesus is who he has always been. The Son of God. Jesus will always be the Son of God.
Time constrains us. Time eludes us. Time pursues us. But let us not give time so much power that it in itself becomes "deity". Time is held in the hands of Deity, God. In fact, time as we know it, was created by God. Sunrise, sunset; day to day; month to month, year to year; given to us by God.
While I continue to pursue my own understanding of time and what it means from our human perspective, one thing is certain. Time is not meant to be worshiped or served, but instead, it is the opportunity at any given moment to live a life of holy sacrifice to the One who loved me so much that He laid down His life for me.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
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4 comments:
Luke: time is a gift. every second is God's gift to us. I think this is why we are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials.
I have such a deep appreciation for moments, today. Snapshots of joy, laughter, and kindnesses. I see expressions and lock them inside my memory bank.
I think God's mercies are new every morning because the mercies we received yesterday are for yesterday's sin and failings. We need new mercies for today. just thinking out loud. selahV
V,
I based my interpretation on the word "new" as refreshed or as others have put it, renewed(Keil & Delitzsch)from the root of the word in the Hebrew text. What I am saying, or hoping to say, is that we don't get a "new" God everyday. We have the same Great God who has the same Great Mercy. Fresh revelations/inspirations do occur no doubt. They simply radiate or are sent from the God who does not change and who is not bound by time as we are. Which is why this trail of thought for me is so mind boggling. I think that practically, we do worship time by giving it too much control over our actions when in deed, what we should be doing along the path is appreciating the moments that happen each day.
Presently, I am enjoying the rain, thunder and lightening. Thunderstorms, in my opinion, are the greatest phenomenon that I get to enjoy down here. If I lived up north, it would have to be the sound of snow falling in the woods.
Luke
Luke: extremely well said. I, too, love thunderstorms and snowfalls. when we lived in Connecticut, it was mesmorizing to watch the snow fall. selahV
V,
At the risk of being accused of not appreciating summer for all it brings, I am posting here one of my all time favorite poems that I learned in high school.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
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