Have you ever noticed how time seems to pass as different speeds? For instance, if I’m having fun, it seems to fly by rather quickly. But, if I’m stuck somewhere that I don’t want to be, time seems to stop. I have also heard this from people who were in a bad accident of some kind. They often say it felt as if time had slowed down. Isn’t it amazing how our perception of it can be so different?
Throughout my life, I have been fascinated with the concept of time. Some of my favorite fictional stories involve time travel. Good examples of this are the “Back into the Future” movies. By the way, the third one is my favorite. But, thinking about time itself can be truly mind-blowing. That happened to me as a young child. Over the years I have written about being raised in church. For that, I’m very grateful. There is where I learned about Salvation and eternal life. I remember adults talking about that as if it was no big deal. But, the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. No, it wasn’t because I didn’t want eternal life. You see, I simply couldn’t wrap my head around time going on forever and forever with no end. After all, everything had a beginning and an ending. How could it not? My mom finally told me that forever wasn’t something that could be understood on our side of Heaven. I would just have to deal with it and go on with life. I did just that. Sometimes it would sneak back up and I would simply shove it down again. That is until my daughter Sara came along.
I did the same as my mother in that I raised my her in church. She too struggled with the thought of forever and ever. So I told Sara the same as my had mother told me in that she would just have to accept it and go on. Well, she couldn’t do that. It really bothered her and I knew I had to do something to help her. So, I prayed about it and the image of Bull Run Creek came to my mind. I know that sounds a little strange, but it actually made sense., For one, in many a song and written literature, time is often compared to the flow of water in a river. For another, we lived next to the creek, so that would make it easier for Sara to envision it.
I told her that God created time so we could have a place in which to exist (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 42:5 & Colossians 1:16.) The water in Bull Run represents time and we are the fish that live in it. It only flows forward and we have to do that as well. Since we can only see our surroundings within where we are in the creek, we have more limited vision than we often realize. Of course, God isn’t limited to our time in that He sits on the bank next to the creek. From there, He can look back down it and see into the past. He can also see it and us as we are right now. Also, He knows what is ahead (Isaiah 46:10 & Psalm 90:4.) Now, when our time in the creek is up, God will pluck us out of it. Those who know Jesus will be on the bank with Him (John 14:2-3 & Philippians 1:23.) At that point we won’t be fish at all. Rather, we will receive a Heavenly body that will be like His (Philippians 3:20-21 & 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. 48-49.) At that point, we will no longer conceive of things with the limited mind of fish. Instead, we will have an understanding like our Lord’s. That seemed to help her and gave her some peace, which gave me peace as well.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)
Being a little too inquisitive, I have often come across things that I really couldn’t mentally grasp. Let me tell you, things like that has kept me up many a night. But as I have grown closer to the Lord, I have learned to let it go and trust in the One who does know it all.
I have a couple of suggestions for those of you who would like to do more research on time. While writing this, I came across a fascinating theological debate: Is the Lord truly timeless where He exists outside of time or does He exist inside of time where He is everlasting. Let’s face it, this is another question that can keep you up a night if you let it. The other one is more secular. According to Einstein, time doesn’t move at the same rate everywhere. This is isn’t just about far off planets. Oh no. Apparently time moves at different rates on Earth. It’s not enough that you will notice, but it has been tested and the results documented. Cool huh?
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.