Wrestling with Time

I don’t think it is any secret that most preachers preach to themselves.

More often than not, when I share something here on a Thursday night, its’ because it’s been on my hear recently.

Sure, sometimes God will give me a sermon or series that address a need represented in Counter Culture , not necessarily myself.

But usually, it’s because it’s something that I feel you need to hear, and I usually desperately need to hear.

Preachers preach to themselves. I say this not just to introduce tonight’s message but to remind myself and everyone in this room tonight that we need God. I need God, you need God, we need God.

I have the privilege to share the Word of God with you tonight because I’m called to preach the word, not because I have it together.

I, like you, am saved by grace alone. Grace that I don’t deserve. Through faith alone.

And where does faith come from? By hearing the word of GOd. So my prayer tonight is that your faith and purpose will grow. And mine, too!

I’ve been wrestling with a 4-letter word lately. Whether you are young, old, man, or woman, at some point you will wrestle with this work.

i’m talking about time.

I’m 22 years old now. I look back on my life and I’m blessed to say there have been many victories. I’ve accomplished much. I’ve gotten away with more than I should. God has blessed me greatly.

Yet there’s been some failures, some setbacks, some disappointments.

Sometimes I’ve been too cautious. Other times I’ve misjudged. Others still, I was just too lazy.

I’ve been wrestling with the issue of time. 22 years is gone now. I can’t get it back. If Jesus doesn’t come back first, I’ve got 50, 60 years years more. And i’m not guaranteed tomorrow.

Psalm 39:4-5 “4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude”

Life on this earth is so short when measured against eternity, history ,and those who have gone before us.

Psalm 39:4-5 “4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude”

Life it but a breath. James called it a vapor.

Psalm 90:12 “12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

When I think about these truths and how short my life is in the scope of eternity, in the scope of human history, I cannot help but wonder about the impact I’ve made.

I want to make an impact. No matter how cliche it sounds, I want to change the world.

We’re wrestling with time. We can’t dwell on our past failures. We can’t live off our past victories.

Young people, the truth is this: we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. We only have today.

If my life is but a day to the lord, than I want my day to count.

I want to live life the best I can.

I want to make an impact.

Because tomorrow may be one day too late.

Eph 5:15-17 “15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

We’re wrestling with time. We’ve got to make each day matter.

“One Day Too Late” by Skillet