"DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?"

September 4, 2014

"DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?"

1 Peter 1:1–9

Joanne Crawford

Central Truth

Life is short and full of trouble. But there is hope! God allows us to experience trials to strengthen our faith so we can serve, love others, and use our stories to make disciples. So what are we really doing with the TIME (the "little while") God has given us?

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. (1 Peter 1:6)

Greeting

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Born Again to a Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I'm approaching another birthday soon, which has reinforced the reality of how fast time is passing. Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm always on the go. Besides being always "on the go," I've also spent a lot of time being "on the run" from God, going my own way.

I googled songs with the word time in the title and got a list a mile long: "Time to Kill," "No Time to Kill," "No Time Left For You," "Too Much Time On My Hands," "Livin' on Borrowed Time," and on and on. So, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Does anybody really care?"

Our key Scripture tells us that for a "little while," we will experience trials. But, as in everything, God has a purpose, "so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7). We are not to be deceived or "disturbed by these afflictions, for . . . we have been destined for this" (1 Thessalonians 3:3, NASB). So during our "little while" when difficulties come, how are we responding? Are we focusing on our own circumstances? Are we running from God or trusting Him to give us a purpose?

For years, I was focused on my own agenda. This resulted in broken marriages and use of precious time chasing fleeting things. Through serving in DivorceCare, God has given me compassion I never knew I had -- a heart to comfort hurting people (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He continues to humble me, teach me, and refine me. But He has given me a purpose. And I am forever grateful.

"Consider it all joy" when you face trials because "the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3, NASB). Bottom line, God wants us to stop "killin' time" and make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16, NIV).

1. What kinds of trials or temptations are you experiencing right now? Do you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances?

2. Do you find yourself with too much time on your hands? Are you possibly involved in unending busy work or always overbooking your schedule (overcommitting)?

3. Are you, or have you ever found yourself, running from God or thinking you know better than God? What did that look like for you, or what might it look like today?

4. What steps have you taken, or can you take, to begin putting God first in your life -- and make your "little while" a time of service and making disciples that brings glory to God (Matthew 6:33)?