There are many questions that accompany the simple concept of time. We see everything as a parallel to time, we plan our days, weeks, years accordingly. We wear watches, we have a clock on every device, we are surrounded by time. Our lives literally revolve around it. However, God doesn’t necessarily seem to interact with time quite as we do.
My dad, a lover of science (especially all things quantum) and theology, and the way both support one another, often reminds me that God isn’t restricted by time as we experience it. He subscribes to the theory that the structure of time may simply be a temporal illusion that helps our finite minds better process and understand God’s sovereignty in the unfolding story of his infinite love for us, revealed as God directs according to his good and perfect will.
One of our “go to” phrases for encouragement is ‘trust God’s timing.’ What does that even mean? Honestly, it sometimes stumps me!
We begin to take a deeper look at time in 1st grade. We begin to learn how to “tell time.” I personally learned the meaning of “sit in time out” all too well. We begin picking up phrases like “times up”, “it’s time to go”, “when it’s time”, “in due time”, “take your time”, “time is all we have”, “time is the best healer”, “wait for your time”, etc. . We learn that our measurement of time is relevant to the time it takes for the earth to fully orbit the sun, and the time it takes for the earth to complete a revolution as it spins on its ‘axis’. Einstein teaches that space and time are inseparable, and that time is relevant to the speed at which one is traveling and the gravitational pulls that are in play.
Yet, I find myself confused by what it really means all these years later. What a crazy thing it is to realize, that one of the most universal and commonly used concepts of human measurement, is so far beyond our ability of comprehension, that we simply cannot ever fully understand it. In his limitless wisdom and according to his perfect plan, our creator simply left unclear the details of how it all works. As he often does with many of what I feel are “heady” matters, he simply calls us to have faith in him, for he is worthy of all our trust.
How beautiful it is that our God invites us to an honest relationship with him. In addition to our praises and adorations, he lovingly welcomes us to share our doubts and fears as well. When we are faced with the certain truth that we will never fully understand all these little things, we are invited to rejoice in a child-like faith, and thus know peace.
A child-like faith is one of my favorite phrases. Simply saying it out loud brings me joy and comfort. I would not equate it to the idea that “ignorance is bliss,” but sometimes accepting that we will never fully understand everything, and then finding comfort in that, knowing that God is in control, well, this is one of the most beautiful acts of faith and submission that I can imagine. And even when I get easily frustrated by not knowing, I find, when I stop fighting it, that I’m exactly where God has me.
I started pondering this theme of time because I was journaling about things I am struggling with right now. One of my main struggles is this; when I return I will be behind in school, 1-2 semesters. Most likely 2 because I have recently decided to change my major for the 6th time (that’s beside the point though). As well, 9 months away from home, school and friends feels like such a long stretch of time, and what all will I miss out on?
I’ve been feeling anxiety about the realization that my gap year, and my return home is going to majorly affect my timeline, which is going to be “super thrown off.”
How funny is that! Of course my timeline is going to be thrown off! Any timeline that is mine and not God’s is forever going to be thrown out the window, especially, if I’m living according to HIS will. My plans will inevitably be drowned out by whatever God has planned for me. And what is 9 months anyway!?!? What does 9 months worth of time mean? Why does it feel like I’ve been believing a lie.. that any portion of this 9 month adventure is a time-loss for me? Somehow, I was forgetting that every day, hour, minute and second of our lives belong to Him. And, that the beautiful 9 month journey on which I’m about to embark… is really a journey of surrender and growth. It is going to be an important part of my timeline and He wants it in my story!
I’m learning that time, whether an illusion or real, and all the potential concerns it may bring, need not hold power over me. God’s timeline (whatever that may entail) is perfect, and I pray I trust that more everyday.
THE END:)
p.s. shouts out to my dad (the earthly one) for the scientific contributions and what not
hope u enjoy:P
p.s. if you have any real theological wisdom about time please share I am very interested
Thanks for reading have a BLESSED DAY 😛 😛
