Broken relationships, lost jobs, broken kitchen appliances, and lost money, all can be restored. But one thing that can never be restored, is time. Once it’s gone it’s gone. Don’t waste valuable time. When you look back, regrets, guilt and despair will haunt you. No one knows what tomorrow holds.
A few days ago, while praying for a dear friend to receive a good report on her test results, memories of a similar scene flashed before my eyes. Many years ago, on an ordinary sunny day, I sat in a doctor’s office waiting on test results from a routine check-up. My husband sat next to me with concern written on his face, as he held my hand. My heart, mind, body and soul swirled in turmoil on that awful day.
I know God is real and that he will listen to my prayers, but at that moment it flew out the window. Everything seemed dreamlike. Praying was the farthest thing from my mind. It was full of memories, how I had squandered precious time on aimless and unproductive activities, that did not contribute to my well-being or my goals. It was foolish to use energy on fretting over lost wasted time. I should’ve trusted God and ask for his help.
What does “wasted time” looks like? It comes in many forms.
Wasted time, can be lost years of selfishness. Being self-absorbed and insensitive, you had no regards for the needs or feelings of others. You manipulated situations and people to your advantage. You would do anything to get what you want. Now your life has no substance.
Wasted time can be lost years of loveless. Betrayed by a trusted friend or abandoned by a loved one, it leaves you feeling unappreciated and unseen. When you come upon true love, your heart yearns and aches for that love.
Wasted time can be lost years of rebellion. Growing up without a father or mother, you cherished your independence, and non-conformist ways. You resisted any type of authority. But today your heart is filled with regrets of those lost years of not listening.
Wasted time can be stolen, by a chronic health condition, caregiving responsibilities, schedules of school and work, or even a career path you have chosen.
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Take heart! There is hope, because God promise to make your latter years greater than the former.
Haggai 2:9 reads, “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, said the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Instructed by God, Haggai, a prophet of the Old Testament, urged the children of Israel to rebuild the desolate temple to its former glorious state, after their exile from Jerusalem. The memory of the once strong and beautiful temple made the people look at the pitiful edifice they were trying to restore with hopelessness. They said, “what the use, we cannot match the former glory.”
Many times, I've said those exact same words. Day-by-day, month-by-month and year-by-year, all my effort I put into a project, only to be disappointed at the outcome. I wondered what has come of all my time and effort.
I know that God is not against me, but for me. That all things work together for good for those who love God and called to his purpose. Some days I cry for the wasted years, but I remind myself God will restore those lost years, by multiplying my work.
I encourage you to have no fear and most of all believe and TRUST God. Continue to strive for a better future. God can, and will restore all your wasted time, to make your latter greater than your former.
