The older I get, the more I realize that life is too short to waste time. There’s a spirit in the air today that wants to steal our time, that wants to distract us from the good things in life. If we’re not careful, we’ll let it steals hours and days and months.
Some people talk and lecture us as if we have unlimited time. They wag their fingers and say we need to spend our time reading and learning about the experiences and struggles of some oppressed people. Then we’ll understand the plight of X group and the struggles of Y group and the desires of Z group.
Other people want us to spend our time reading all the various positions and policy papers of all the various political candidates. They say, “You should be an educated voter; if you just understood, you’d change your mind!”
Then there’s scourge of social media. How much time is stolen by arguing on social media; arguing with people we don’t even know, that we have nothing in common with, who might just be a bot that can pass the Turing test? Too much, the answer is too much.
Do y’all remember the movie “Fallen”? Released in 1998, Fallen tells the story of “an ancient and diabolic spiritual being, Azazel, [who] is supernaturally condemned to eternally transmigrate at will between unwitting and susceptible human souls who act as hosts for possession.”
Denzel Washington plays Detective Hobbes, who figures out what Azazel really is and plots to destroy the demon. I don’t want to give too much away, but at one point, Azazel is inhabiting a man who is getting ready to die. He starts singing,
“Time is on my side, time is on my side, I’ll come running back, I’ll come running back to you.”
And indeed he does. Azazel has a lot more time than Detective Hobbes. It’s a good movie.
I’m a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. I know that in the end, Jesus Christ will have the final victory, and I’ll share in that victory. But until then, know that the Enemy has more time on this earth than we do. He’ll use that time to spread chaos.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” Jesus Christ, John 10. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” Peter, I Peter 5.
The Enemy is real; he’s out there prowling around looking to steal from us. Don’t let him steal your time.
There’s nothing wrong with reading and learning. It’s OK to follow politics and get on social media; I do. But don’t let those things consume all your time. Get outside and go for a hike, take your kids fishing and then take your wife out for dinner. Spend your time with your friends and family.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – Jesus Christ, John 10
Spot on, thanks
You’re welcome.