Time is very short
1 Corinthians 7:25-31
25 Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Do you ever stop sometimes and think, “Wow, I really achieved so much today”? Perhaps there are days when you have errands to run, shopping, meetings, appointments and you feel busy? Other days perhaps are slower, and you feel like you do not achieve much at all? This predicament happens to me often. Often my really busy days then render me exhausted for the following day after. The slower days seem to have far less adrenaline to propel me forwards.
In this passage, Paul writes “time is short” in verse 29. He is writing concerning certain circumstances that men and women may find themselves in. What I find interesting is that the concept of time being short is written about in biblical times and this is a highly relevant concept in contemporary culture also. When time is “short” somehow it seems to clarify and magnify what we are doing with that time. If there is not much time- how do you spend it? What becomes a priority? and importantly Why?
Dear God, thank you for Paul and for his writings to the Corinthians. Thank you for using Paul’s writings to help us understand what should be a priority in our lives. Please help us to understand your teachings each day. Thank you for the gift of time, help us to prioritise our time to do your will and purpose for our lives. Amen
Written by Susannah Ware