We live in a world of uncertainty and yet many continue to live right on the edge, as if tomorrow will never come. However, as we know, there is no stopping time and tomorrows soon add into weeks, months and years – and before we know it, our time is up. Sadly, many fail to maximize the time they have. They never pursue their purposes, never think of anything beyond their own interests and never act to protect all they cherish.  Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be our story, and there are three primary ways we can better protect ourselves and others as we commit to making the most of the time we have left: 

Identification: The first step in ensuring a more secure future is identifying our primary goals and gaps to achieving those goals. For example, we may want to retire one day, but are failing to save. Another example is desiring better health, yet failing to exercise and eat properly. Thus, our behaviors are working counteractive to our goals. Therefore, there’s great benefit when we take the time to identify both our desires and deficits. The greatest deficit however is when we fail to identify our need for a Savior. We think we have time, don’t have the need and can do all that needs to be done on our own. This of course, has never proven true (Romans 3:23-24).

Information: After we identify our goals and gaps, we can begin taking steps to gain the information and education necessary to improve our conditions and protect ourselves from distractions. For example, we are told faith comes from hearing the good news about Christ. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to assume we don’t need church, Christian fellowships, or Biblical discipleship (Proverbs 11:14). However, all the collection of information in the world is still in vain when we fail to act on what we know.     

Implementation: Knowing we need Jesus and studying His Word is great, but what if we never surrender our lives to His Lordship? We see throughout the Bible people doing this exact thing. They follow Him, seek Him and praise Him, yet when He calls them to surrender all they have, they decide the cost is too high. This is because like all things in life, taking action is always the most difficult step. Sometimes it’s because we falsely assume we have time to act. As a result, many fail to do what they know is required to protect and propel the most important things in life, including above all, our eternal conditions. We are told God so loves the world that He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. We are also told by Joshua, that we are too choose this day who we will serve. Therefore, our life story can have a very different and joyful ending – when we surrender all and finally choose to receive God’s free gift of salvation in, from and through Christ (Romans 8:14).

Application: “Suit Up” – Ephesians 6:13

We don’t know how much time we have left. Therefore, we can not take today, or tomorrow for granted. This doesn’t mean we need to stress and worry and live frivolously, but quite the opposite. For those without Christ will face problems like we all do, but sadly they face them and life without a redeeming hope. However, for those believing in Christ, we have His endless protection, provision and promises that give us a sustaining hope that He never leaves us, or forsakes us – assurances that stretch beyond the realms of time.