"Teach us to number our days aright that we might gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm (90.12)

As the clocks go back and we "gain" an hour it might be worth pausing to ask how we use the gift of time.

Filling the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run may give you the world and everything in it but as this world is passing and fading, is it not better to store treasure in heaven where there is no decline or waste. Treasure of a timeless nature surely has more to do with personality and people than by being possessed by possessions.

There are, to quote a Christian author writing on parenting skills, very few men who on their deathbed say "If only I had spent more time at the office..."

And it isn’t just with families that quality time is required but time in service of others, making time or leaving time for others to engage with us, is great wealth as it shapes our character and blesses their lives.

The rules for holy living found in Leviticus 19 encourage the farmer not to harvest up to the edge of his field or double pick the vine – rather leave these for the poor and alien.

Perhaps we can apply that teaching to our husbandry of our time. Time is a great teacher but unfortunately it kills all its pupils so we might do well to apply the wisdom of this scripture today. We can either harvest right up to the edge of each day and pick over the fallen/wasted moment in time ensuring our lives (and those of our families) are rammed with activity. Or we can learn to leave time for others, to be present to them and to God who offers to accompany us in our living well and wisely.

In view of this how then shall we live?

We hope to leave time available for anyone who would like prayer and counsel on Friday afternoons at the Baptist church. We will give of our time, listening to and praying for you as you require. In this small way and others we seek to be both blessed and become a blessing. May you too find the time for others and for God in your living.

Nick