What would you do with....?
$604,800.
What would you do if you received that amount of money in your checking account every week? The caveat is that you have to use it all, each week with no carry over. The money can be spent or given away. It cannot be saved or squirreled away.
Recently I heard this question on the radio and I first wondered, “Is this a new advert for the state’s lottery?”
Then as the announcer explained, it became clear. There are 604,800 seconds in a week. Each one of us is given that time to use. If we don’t use it, we lose it.
It made me think of the story of the Israelites in the desert and their daily provision of manna. They were only to collect the amount of manna they would use in a day- no more, no less. Whatever amount each gathered, it became an omer. (“They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” Exodus 16: 17,18). If they tried to hold it over to the next day, it would spoil. The only exception was for the Sabbath. They could collect double what they needed on Friday so that on Saturday they would not have to work and gather their food. That extra portion of food collected on Friday did not spoil.
Talk about a teachable moment- what a great visible example and daily lesson that the Israelites learned: trusting God to provide their needs. In leaning on Him for their sustenance, they would experience just how much God knew everything about their needs. He provided a system so that no one could “game” it: those who took too much received the same amount as those who took too little. Since it became a level playing field, the Israelites couldn’t rely on their gathering ability. They could only rely on the God who provided the meal. God knows us so intimately that He can provide just the right amount of what we need at just the right time in order for us to survive and thrive.
It makes me think that God provides us with just the right amount of time, no more, no less, each day. Each day may bring about pleasantries or troubles. Regardless, there is enough time in each day for that day and what occurs. Jesus reminds us of that when He talked about not being anxious. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:34). There is enough to worry about each day, not to “borrow trouble” or borrow time and trouble from the future.
We have to concentrate on the day that we are given. Earlier in the passage in Matthew, Jesus talks about the natural world and its beauty. Designed by God to be beautiful, the flowers don’t worry about their appearance. Neither are we to be anxious about our life’s situations: we are to enjoy the moments and all (good and bad) that each day brings.
I like the idea of thinking that seconds are like money that cannot be stored. But not in a negative or punitive way that time and money will be taken away. Just that each day I get to start over just like each week begins the use of money from the original question. Each day I start with the bank account of seconds. I get to choose how wisely I use it. Of course, we all want to be wise with money. To see that the money is invested well. But do I invest my time well? Do I engage in activities that benefit me and others? Do I make the seconds, minutes, hours or days count? What makes a day “count”?
I also recently listened to my nephew’s latest sermon (Click here to listen) and I was struck with the idea that God created all things good. I knew that, yet I always associated purpose with that. God didn’t create all things to have only a specific purpose, although they do. He created also for beauty. “And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.” (Genesis 2:9) When God created, He did rest and enjoy the creation: to enjoy the beauty of the created. I like the idea that the things God creates also produce beauty and therefore joy in our lives.
I think deep down we know that a day is worthwhile when we give it away- helping others in some shape or form: time listening or lending a helping hand. Part of the giving away is through our role as co-creators with God. We are God’s image bearers and so we are wired to create. Our purpose is to create whether we think in terms of classic “creators” - the fine arts- or how we create through our interactions and care of one another. We long to find purpose in our days and I think that is what gives meaning to those seconds.
But I am also learning that a day is worthwhile when it is enjoyed. Whether that is from observance of the natural world, the delight through human interaction or discovery of new ideas. A day is worthwhile because God has given it to us with just the right amount of time and activity for that day. No more, no less.
What about you? Do you ever think about your day and the time spent or to be spent? What would you do if you were given a large amount of money each day? How would you “use it up”? Would you purchase something of beauty? What would that be? Would you give it away?
How can you best use the time you are given? Giving it “away”? Investing in others? Enjoying the beauty of the world? Creating something beautiful? What would that be?
Once again, life is about moderation and balance. Time should be seen as gifts and graces: items we receive that we do not deserve. Our response to that gift is a choice: one of gratitude and use.