“Let’s Step On The Gas”

“Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go, we’re burnin daylight”. I guess I’ve watched too many John Wayne cowboy movies, but he was always on the move… time was precious to the Duke.

It seems like God is continuing to try and teach me lessons about the importance of  “time”. Time is a most valuable commodity; once you lose time, you can’t get it back.  

One aspect of time is “timing”. It’s better to be early than late. If you’re early you may have to wait for the boat… if you’re late, you  may “miss the boat”. Hmmmmm, getting pretty deep Dave.

“We must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work.(John 9:4) Night comes when no one can work… when the boat has left the dock, when the doors of the banquet are locked.(Mt. 25:1-13) 

There is often limited time to accomplish something…a window of opportunity. At some point either you take the opportunity or it’s gone. Recently I’m hearing of many who are walking the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James. (the world-famous Christian pilgrimage through the scenic countryside of northern Spain of some 500 miles.) Years ago I watched the movie “The Way” with Martin Sheen; I was intrigued…. maybe we should hike the El Camino. I actually have several friends who have hiked this trail and others who are planning to hike it. I know we could have hiked it 10 years ago, but I think our window of opportunity has closed; if I tried it now, it would likely be the “last roundup” for me.

As one moves into old age, there are still opportunities. We can choose to take advantage of these opportunities, or we can kick (the can) them down the road. “Hey, there’s plenty of time to consider that, let’s not get excited…. I have time to consider that at a later date”. While there is a window of opportunity,  at some point the window will close.

Some things are really not that important. If I don’t travel the El Camino, it’s not the end of the world; if I don’t take that cruise, I’ll survive. Yet some things are more important. Of highest importance is having that “heart to heart” conversation with God…. taking time to really consider the invitation that God offers to each of us in his son Jesus. It’s the height of foolishness to kick that can down the road. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” (Heb. 3:15; Ps. 95:7) None of us know when that window of opportunity will close, and that is a boat you don’t want to miss.

None of us know when our strength may wain. Today I can get out of bed, walk around, eat when I want to eat, go to work, play golf, go the shore… I’m the master of my life; I decide my day. Yet for those who have found themselves in the hospital unable to do any of that, you know that this can change in a heartbeat. Important things that we wanted to do, may now be out of our reach…. paying those bills, giving that gift, updating my will, moving to that simpler home, going to confession, asking that person for forgiveness/forgiving that one who hurt me…..

So, “Hurry up, we’re “Burnin Daylight”. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us use the time we have left to do the things that are most important…starting with our relationship with God, and then with our family and friends. And if we do these important things, it will be very good news.