Christian Living

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Not that I endorse the Beatles as theological superheroes, but one of their songs, We Can Work It Out, contains this seed of truth: “Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend.” I was recently in touch with a film director, and I expressed amazement that he would take the time to quickly reply to each note I sent him. His reasoning? “Life’s too short.” I’ve also been corresponding with an old friend who guides her relationships with people with the philosophy that . . . well, you guessed it . . . “Life’s too short!”

None of the “philosophers” I’ve mentioned are Bible believers in any way, but they have all hit upon a Bible truth: we must keep, and give, an account of how we use the time the Lord has allotted us. This is especially true because we don’t know how much time we have on earth. James tells us that “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Paul says we are to be “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Not only is there no time to waste, but evil never takes a holiday. While evil men wax worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13), the Christian cannot stand by and whittle away his time in spiritual lethargy or even sin. Even the lost world knows that life is too short and time is too precious to waste on anger, grudges, unkindness, and a host of other unfruitful attitudes and actions.

I get a kick out of the motto for Procrastinators Club of America: “Anything worth doing is worth putting off.” This is funny, but the irony is inescapable. Those things worth doing are worth doing now, and doing well.

There seems to be an unwritten philosophy spreading among Christians that the Lord will be content with less than our best, as long as we have “passion” in our heart. Therefore, it is not necessary that we put too much effort into our work for Him, because He knows we’re doing it for Him. This irony should be particularly striking. If what we do is really for Him, shouldn’t we give of our best? Is there anyone more worthy of all our best efforts than God Himself?

Consider the worker who commits himself to his employer, agreeing to work for a certain salary. He knows his task for the day, but decides to sit in his cubicle with his feet on the desk, reading his Bible. Should we expect the employer to commend the “worker” for reading his Bible instead of completing the task he was given? Does that honor the Lord?

What if the employee does his job, but paints the wall green instead of the red that his boss requested. And what if he doesn’t fill in the cracks and holes before painting, claiming that he painted the wall as asked. Wouldn’t the boss think twice about paying this fellow, no less trusting him with more work? Although the “worker” could argue that he was passionate about painting, he gave no evidence of it in his actions. He also didn’t show much respect for his superior.

God has made His will clear in His Word. There are things we are to be doing to serve and glorify Him. He is no harsh taskmaster, demanding more from us than we can do with His power. He does not deny His servants time for rest and relaxation. But He does remind us that we don’t know how many years, days or hours we have left before we are in some way unable to work. And He does remind us that He is a great King and deserves the best (Malachi 1).

Life is too short to mess around. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, don’t wait until tomorrow; it may never come. If you have given your life to him, keep busy serving him; you’ll have all of eternity to enjoy the rewards!

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