Time: The Missing Ingredient
Blink and another year’s gone. Blink again and a new electric, water, or gas bill is in the mail. “Didn’t I just pay that?” One day your children are little babies and the next day they have babies of their own.
“Time cannot be put in a bottle or saved for later. Once a moment passes, it is gone forever. You can't get back time that has already been spent. We never know exactly how much time we have.”
Each day is a wonderful gift from Almighty God. Joyce Meyer said it well, “Wake up each morning, trust God and do good.” In these trying times it can be easy to criticize and complain about almost everything even though we live in a land flowing with milk and honey. I encourage you to be thankful for what you have and to realize you are here for a purpose. If you have been blessed with skills for creating treasures on a wood lathe, there are reasons beyond just making you happy.
Teaching someone else what you’ve learned the hard way is like sharing a great steak, or a spectacular dessert. However, turning skills taught to friends or family can last a lifetime and may bless generations you can’t imagine. Remember that 95% of everything we make on the lathe ends up as a gift freely given and may bring joy for decades.
Whenever you have a chance to bless someone else, don’t miss that opportunity. Learn to develop contagious enthusiasm. Call a sick friend, pray for others, encourage someone else over coffee or lunch, or invite someone to spend an hour or two in your shop. Be the light in this dark world. You never know what they might be going through and you can be the difference. Words are powerful, use them to bless others and always be ready to offer encouragement.
“Carpe diem” seize the day. Good advice but only if you do it. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message.
(Jer 29:11 [MSG]) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
(Prov 27:1 [NASB]) Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
(2Cor 6:2–3 [MSG]) God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we're doing.
