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The Reformation Herald Online Edition

Looking in the Mirror

Editorial
Squeezing in the most important thing
Squeezing in the most important thing

Can I really squeeze it in? It’s almost like a suitcase stuffed to its maximum capacity—and the zipper is actually in danger of breaking over an extra pair of socks. But wait—is everything in the suitcase absolutely essential? Or were those socks actually more important than some other item taking up space in the suitcase?

What does this little suitcase scenario illustrate? Today’s problem with time. When time seems to be so limited, how am I going to fit this extra item into the schedule?

There is one talent that is the same for everyone: The talent of time—24 hours in a day. The way that time is distributed varies from person to person, of course. Why does it vary? The biggest determining factor is our own choice. Yes, there may be circumstances that seem to rob some of us of useful time, but often those circumstances have also come as a result of our choices. Usually we can control our situation more than we may realize.

Have you noticed lately that no one seems to have enough time? Despite all the modern time-saving inventions and conveniences, we seem to have less time than we ever had before.

Plus, as life intensifies, many of us also realize that we need to do more missionary work. But what is the typical reason why we don’t do as much of this as we would like? The same old reason—(or is it an excuse?): We don’t have enough time.

What’s eating up our extra time? Mistaken priorities? Lack of vigilance over how many minutes have flown past in idle conversation, light reading, or net surfing? Excess curiosity over the latest gadget or tidbit of news?

In this issue of the Reformation Herald, we’ll consider some points pertaining to the wise use of one of today’s greatest inventions, as well as the need for missionary work, both of which may be strongly connected to our speech habits.

Have you ever noticed?

“More distractions and wickedness in the church are caused by a wrong use of the tongue, by a lack of governing the speech, than by anything else. Let the members of every family . . . humble themselves before God. It would be well to have a trespass offering box in sight, and a rule, to which all the household are agreed, that whoever speaks unkindly of another or speaks passionate words, shall drop therein a trespass offering. . . .

“By the help of God you must bridle your tongue; talk less, and pray more. Never question the motives of your brethren, for as you judge them God has declared that you will be judged. Open your hearts to kindliness, to the dictates of the Spirit of God, to the cheering rays of the Sun of Righteousness.”1

“In every place angels of God are watching to see what kind of spirit is exercised in behalf of souls. . . .

“Never should we pass by one suffering soul without seeking to impart to him the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”2

We need to be about our Master’s business with an eye single to His glory. That will keep us busy enough. Then, when distractions come our way, it’s good to pray silently: “Is this interruption from God or from Satan?” The efficient, well-focused Christian will discern whether it’s something that could weaken us spiritually, or instead if it’s actually something that would benefit a soul. In such a situation we cannot ignore the chance to be a blessing and “pass by on the other side” (Luke 10:31) simply because we’ve got other things to do. Rather, we are to be like the Good Samaritan, to “be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:18).

And that often takes time. Let’s be sure to make serious space in our life to squeeze it in. After all, the difference may amount to eternity.

References
1 Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, p. 183.
2 The Kress Collection, pp. 28, 29.