Mark 13:33 – Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. (AMP)

When I was a new Christian, I was so enthralled with the singing of the congregation, their beautiful harmony, and their enthusiasm, that I did not even comprehend the meaning of the words, until one day, the congregation sang that lovely old hymn, Take time to be holy. The whole meaning of Christianity, the whole possibility of being a Christian, and the whole expectation for a Christian were all included in the first verse:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word;
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
– William D. Longstaff

Within the church programme, I was beginning to study the life of holiness, and here it was, in very simple and childlike language, which even I could understand and realize its possibilities. But it began with our most precious commodity: time. I am always amazed how many people have accomplished so much in a very short period of time, while many others, like myself, are still struggling with that elusive commodity. Thus, I am pursuing the suggestion of the first line in the third verse of the hymn:

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide.

As with all the other aspects of holiness, He will guide us. Indeed, He will teach us how to value and how to grasp hold of this precious commodity: time.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, how thankful we are that in so many aspects of learning, You give gifts to Your followers, with which we can reach out to fellow Christians to encourage them, to enlighten them, and most of all, to bring fresh aspects of Your Word to take into their hearts and lives. Thank You for Your endless goodness, but above all, we thank You for the gift of Your Son and our Saviour, Christ Jesus. Amen.

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