Time
Often we find ourselves thinking about time. When we are older, we concern ourselves with how little time there ever was. When we are young, we lament the amount that lies ahead. Rarely do we consider the gift and mystery it is. The angels have no opportunity for repentance, however, we have been given the opportunity to accept salvation in time and through the cross of Christ, who thence redeems time. It is precisely this redemption that of time that shows us "The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). God is the Lord of time, in time He created all things.
If we wait for an answer from God on a given question, we know that we will be given an answer when we need it. Our ignorance of His long-term will is for our good. We will know scarcely more than we do now but never less than is needed. His grace is sufficient for us and in all things he gives us the opportunity to be great saints, we lack nothing but ourselves i.e. who we were created to be. Eternity is now, not limited to, and all the same present in time. Everything has its time, and at present, he gives us the opportunity to be saved.
Almost everyone with a high school edcation knows what the term “three-dimensional” means. Yet there has always been the fourth dimension i.e. time. This dimension is not so much a physical dimension as a metaphysical one. There are two aspects of reality that are “affected”/constituted by time, location, and configuration. A change in these is the result of motion(work) and energy. Insofar as energy can be converted to matter and matter to energy, there must necessarily be motion whence there is a matter for every reaction has an equilibrium. Therefore, time is a natural consequence of physical existence. Concurrently, gravity affects everything even time. Gravity results from mass i.e. matter. In this respect time, matter, energy, motion, and gravity exist in some sort of workable balance. This equilibrium is just so that life might exist. The motion of the universe suggests that this equilibrium was not always the same. Further, it seems it is moving toward a limit which begs the question is it an equilibrium at all or just an equation with variables in constant flux. Our laws suggest that the other side of the equal sign is constant but would it have to be?
The many forms of energy, the physical quality energy (and still being in some ways a step beyond the physical), time’s nature of being warped by gravity, and gravity being a tangible force while at the same time the result of only matter, and so on bears brings is to conclude that we know not what comes first or if there must necessarily have always been and that an actualizing force was their first cause. Since something is directly affected by another thing can it be said that “a given cause is its only cause”? If no, then we ask “what caused it”. In some ways, we will find ourselves arguing still within the equation. If we can say that “time is caused only by gravity” then how might we answer the question, “how does gravity work on other mass without employing energy?”. Further, how can gravity act without time? Which one must have come first? What about inertia? Is this not something beyond calculation? If it is not possible that interrelated variables may exist without the other can we truly say that on must have preexisted and that the others naturally follow or is it that these may have been created by another force? An uncaused cause, an un-forced force?
In conclusion, time is a mystery but even should we be lost about its nature, we know its purpose. That purpose is forsaken in sin and regained in Christ. The mechanics of creation is full of wonder, and yet, there is a singular truth and meaning to it all that science can start us in finding. There is no time that is not a gift for us, to spend well or in foolishness. How do you spend your time? In ever life there are people that spent time to bring destruction, others to bring achievement, others to bring pleasure, others to bring money/influence, and still others in give it for others. Time is opportunity to do, to become. Time is freedom, the physical state of free-will, to make the most of our circumstances and to participate in the messianic mission of redemption and love. Perhaps it is not that God is slow, but that we are impatient, for God's will makes every use of time.
Where/when is your God?
"The past is never dead. It's not even past."
The future is not and never will be except now, since it "starts today, not tomorrow".
Your future past is present
Your past future is now
What will you do? Who will you become?
Written by Carter Carruthers & also available soon at Missio Dei
