Time Is A Gift

God has made everything beautiful in its time. Today is a gift. The time is now to show the world the love of Christ by washing feet and singing a song of the love of Jesus.

“These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher…The son of Karmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things…Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, the sixth Ozem and the seventh David…Salma the father of Bethlehem”1 Chronicles 2:1-51

Chronicles requires context. This chapter lists 137 unique names but leaves us wanting more, as we do not know the story of each person. Some, like David, are well known, but most are a distant memory recorded in Scripture.

Do you ever wonder why the Bible records each name in the lineage that leads to Jesus? How does it help grow our faith to see the full family picture? Within a chapter like this that may be hard to read is the reality that God is faithful through every generation. He has a plan from beginning to end, and His purposes never fail. We can build our lives on His love, knowing that those who trust in God have a firm foundation.

Pay attention to the details that are given and what you do know about the names you recognize. Bethlehem, for example, was a person before being remembered as the city where Jesus was born. We are born into a time and place and given the opportunity to make a difference in our community by how we live. How are you serving your community? How does your name reflect a heart to serve the world like Jesus?

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit…he set my feet on a rock…He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us…I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help…may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” Psalms 40:2-16

David starts his song by remembering how God has loved him. Before we can go and love the world around us, we have to remember how Jesus has loved us. He washed our feet. He served us. He met us where we were and gave us hope. He put a new song on our lips and in our hearts. The song of the redeemed. What is your salvation song? Will you sing and share of the love and faithfulness of God? Or will you be silent?

David said he could not help but praise the Lord for all He has done, all He is doing, and all He will do. Have you declared this truth? Have you said, God, I know You are working and will work all things for good, so I will trust You through this season? Or have you allowed fear or the false to keep you from seeing how God is moving while you are in the middle?

The shift that comes when we learn to trust God can have a seismic impact on our praise. Trusting that God has a plan, the power, and a purpose for each of us allows us to appreciate every season. It may be hard if you are going through a difficult time, but truth tells us that there is beauty in this day. Can you see it?

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

The older you get, the more you understand the truth of this chapter. Life is not about us; it is about God’s love and faithfulness, His plan and purposes. The older you get, the more you can put faces and places to these categories and appreciate the seasons of life.

Solomon searched far and wide to find the meaning of life. He arrived at the simple conclusion that everything is a gift from God. If you want to sing a new song like David said, then embrace gratitude as the guiding characteristic in your life. Gratitude unlocks joy and helps us see the beauty of each moment. What season of life are you in? How is God working in and through you? How is He growing you and guiding you? This is all part of your story, and while your name might not be in the Bible, truth tells us that your story matters to Him.

Solomon did not say that he loved loss or that hard things were not hard. He said that God is always moving, always working, always loving us at all times. He is with us in the hills and the valleys. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is with you now and preparing a way for the road ahead. It is His love and faithfulness that we build our lives upon, knowing He will never fail.

“I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number…they will no longer be afraid…The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior…Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:3-24

God gives us insight into the bigger picture. His is a plan of redemption for all people. He wants to bring the family back home so they can find safe pasture and be freed from fear. God said that I will do all this through the Righteous Savior. His plan A is Jesus, and there is no need for plan B. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.God knows we will hear voices and have thoughts of doubt, so He answered questions before we even asked. He said, am I not God nearby and far away? Can you not see that I fill the heavens and the earth with My glory? God wants to make it so obvious to us that we cannot miss the signs of His presence. He is God with us, God for us, God all around us, God before us, and God behind us. There is nowhere we can go in all creation that He is not working or not there. Paul said that neither height nor depth nor anything can separate us from the love of Christ.

Have you felt alone? Have you felt unseen? Do you feel any distance between you and God? Like the famous song by The Police, God wants you to know that with every breath that you take, He is with you. Don’t listen to the lies that try to convince you that God is distant. He is closer than close and wants you to know you are loved.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:3-35

Jesus knew where He came from, where He was going, and who held His life in His hands. The same is true for us. His perspective freed Him to kneel down and serve. He knew the Father was present, powerful, and purposeful, so He could pick up a towel. Jesus showed us that we have been blessed so we can bless. Saved so we can save. Healed so we can bring healing.

David said the same thing. God had lifted him from the pit, set his feet on a rock, and put a new song in his heart. In response to being saved, he desired to do God’s will. He could not remain silent about the love of God, and we should not be either. When you know you are loved and Jesus has made you whole again, you are freed to live for Him.

Washing feet can be awkward, and back then it was pretty gross, but Jesus does not shy away from what makes us dirty. He cares more about accomplishing God’s purpose to cleanse us, so He meets us in the mess, cleanses what we cannot clean ourselves, and calls us sons and daughters.

Jesus flipped the script on the way we think. We do not serve so God will love us; we serve because He has first loved us. We do not sing to earn salvation; we sing because we have experienced it. Before Jesus told His disciples to wash one another’s feet, He washed theirs. Before He commanded them to love, He showed them what love looks like. Has the love of Jesus Christ changed your life? If so, how will love flow through you today?Jesus has placed you in this time and this place for a purpose. Solomon said that God makes everything beautiful in its time. The names in Chronicles remind us that generations come and go, but the purposes of God continue. Ask Jesus why He has you here and where He wants to use your gifts. Someday our names will be a distant memory, but while we have breath, we are called to make a difference.

God is present, so you are never alone. God is powerful, so you do not have to love in your own strength. God is purposeful, so you can trust the process. Wash the feet of the people in front of you. Love people with the love and faithfulness God has shown you. Let the world see that you belong to Jesus by the way you choose to take a knee and grab a towel. The world will know you are His by how you love.