Time

Just about 48 hours and I will be back in Minneapolis and will be preparing to embark on the journey of another semester and potentially another 7 months or so away from home. The time spent at home has been welcomed and actually has felt like quite a while. At the same time, I do not know if I am as ready to leave as I have been the last few times that I have left. I think that we tend to take life for granted way to much, we believe that the people we see today will be around the next time we come home or the next time they are scheduled to visit but the truth is that we are not guaranteed of any of that. I know that a lot of us will go through a day and say there are usually not enough hours in a day but then when we have time to get things done we say we are bored or that we wish we were busy, a perfect balance is almost unachievable. Make the most of what you are given and carefully weigh the choices that you make because they may affect you for the rest of your life whether it is a long time or a very short time. Be thankful for the breath that you are given everyday because in can be taken in a flash and you may never get another chance to tell someone that you love them. I have said it before and I will say it again, our choices affect those around us whether it is directly or indirectly and we may never know exactly how our decisions do so. If you are reading this, then that means that you still have time to turn things around if you have been neglecting loved ones in your life or if you have been walking in the opposite direction of God. Take an opportunity (which may be your last) to evaluate what is most important in life and re-prioritize your life accordingly, the choice is yours.

There are many examples from the Bible of people who had to make choices that would not only affect them but also those very close to them. There are also instances where people chose to spend time with those they loved because they knew the end was near. Abram chose to obey God when he was told to sacrifice his son. He thought the idea was a little crazy but when he had been spoken to by God, he thought to himself, 'who am I to question God?' His decision to be faithful also showed him that God always has a plan and that God will ask us to go to great lengths so that he can reveal himself to us in extraordinary ways. Abraham was then blessed and told that his descendants would be numerous and they would be God's favored people. Had Abram failed to obey initially, he would have never seen what God had for him and we do not know what would have come of the many nations that came forth after him.

Jesus spent his final days with those that were most dear to him. Most of his time was spent with his disciples and he even had a meal with them where he explained the logistics of what was about to take place. He spent time with the Father in prayer and petition even though He knew that He was going to see Him soon. Jesus understood who could provide comfort to Him and He knew that his disciples would be there for him. They were the closest friends that He had on earth and He had spent countless hours with them sleeping in the weirdest places, touching lives, and facing many hardships. Jesus wanted his closest friends to know that he cared about them and He showed them that even when it was all coming to an end, they were the ones He trusted to be there for Him until it was all over.

Time is one of the most precious things we have been given here on earth and it is important for us to value that time and utilize it to the fullest. Take this chance to reflect on how you spend your days and whether you are neglecting people that you have every intention of loving. Please continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for all of you! I hope you all had a good day!

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson