Time

1 Peter 1:20

This verse is all about a sense of time--God exists eternally; we exist right now. When the two intersect and interact, things get messy.

God has always known where creation goes. In making the created order, God set its endpoint in place--or rather God knew what that endpoint would be. To God, the beginning and the end are simultaneous moments. 

No wonder we are confused. We know this moment right here, right now because it is the only moment we actually have. Get much beyond about a week ago, and things go all fuzzy. Try to peer into tomorrow--things are blank--things are blank five minutes ahead--things are blank five SECONDS ahead. 

So, our presence with God in a place without suffering, tears, and fear is as clear to God as right now. With us, that state seems a dream--one we cannot really even flesh out very well. 

But faith lets us fill in a few blanks.

In Jesus, we see what it will be like. Jesus met everyone along his way with love that knew no bounds, no limits, and left them fuller, more complete, and more aware than they were before he arrived. 

God wants us full, aware, and peaceful. 

Yet, we read the papers, watch the news, and fill with dread that we hope for a paper kingdom--one that can tear with a splash of water. This moment seems completely contrary to God’s moment.

But God already knows the outcome. God is already there. 

So often, we hear this good news as bad news because it seems to make a mockery of our freedom. Do we have any real choices? Do we have any real power to decide what we say and do? Are we locked on a track God laid an eternity ago? Are we just toys following the program? 

God leaves us free. We can do with this moment whatever we want. We can really decide what to do, what to wear, what to say, and deal with the real consequences. 

But what we can’t do is change the ultimate outcome. Ultimates are God’s own purview. 

Thanks be to God.

As the world goes mad and madder still, God meets us in love, compassion, and grace, reminding us that all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. And gives us something to do with this moment we actually have--love someone. Alleviate their suffering. Help them to see a glimpse of the true ultimate in meeting them in compassion.

That helps us both.