Sharing love and the miracle of time
Time is the most precious gift we have. At the end of our life span it will be gone, and we can do nothing to add to it. Time is more valuable than money, but even money will be left behind when we die. The only thing we take with us to eternity is love and good works.
In a song “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack Evan sings:
Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?
The song goes on to say, “when you don’t feel strong enough to stand / You can reach out your hand”.
Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you're broken on the ground
You will be found.
To the Christian this good news is not surprising. We will be found! God loved us so much he decided to share some time with us through Jesus. God’s presence on earth came through a Jesus who reached out his hand to strengthen, touched those who needed healing. to speak with those who sought wisdom.
The song “You will be found” has a Christian ring to it. The Good Shepherd seeks the lost sheep, the struggling and the wayward. In suffering we can trust that Christ will be there when we cry out.
Nightbirde singer Jane Marczewski has caught our attention with her faith filled bravery as she battles against stage four cancer. With a two percent chance of survival, she still joyfully proclaims God’s presence and continued blessings:
“My most vibrant hopes and deepest fears have been poured onto the same canvas. I stare into the chaos of it. My ears are ringing. The universe offered herself to me, then cut off my hands.
“I thought it would be sparklier than this. I didn’t imagine standing before the world with so many bruises. I didn’t imagine that in my shining moment I’d be suffering in front of an audience. I’ve always expected miracles. I thought the miracle would be that I could skip to the end, spared of pain.”
Then, as usual, Nightbirde faces her battle, and sees the miracle inside of it: “I did get a miracle—just not the one I wanted. I get to look for light and find it. I get to see how much love can endure. I get to walk the journey with thousands of people like me, who can’t stop hoping, no matter how hard we try.”
As we recognise the miracle Nightbirde proclaims, the words of St James ring true, “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” And James instructs us further, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-17).
While we live we are God’s writers and artists, his workers and homemakers. We are stewards of creation, God’s co-workers. We are responsible for our impact on the environment. Every little action counts.
Sharing our time with others, be that through art, conversation or just our presence, is our way to share God’s love with the world. Nightbirde shares her song, her poetry, against impossible odds. And she sings God’s message with joy.
“So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (John 12:35).
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