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Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” -James 4:14-15 (NIV)

Time is often something people lament on this earth. Maybe it passes too quickly when it comes to spending time with loved ones in their early and late years. Maybe it passes too slowly when waiting in line, or for the verdict on that job interview. It never seems to flow the way we want it to.

People talk about the inexorable march of time as something unpleasant, because we have no control over it.

Well, we’re just here to go with the flow–God’s flow. And rather than try to control the current, or even our speed in it, we can instead let His waters carry us where they may. And when we go with the flow of time, rather than cursing it or complaining about it, we can instead focus on what He’s trying to show us.

Time is a gift from God, peppered with teachable moments for us to grow closer to Him, whether it’s through the valleys or on the mountaintops. We can learn to cherish all of them.

Time also gives the gift of healing the worst of wounds, no matter how irreparable we think they are. God will mend the very hearts that only He can nourish, and make us stronger for it as we endure.

Time gives us perspective as we can look back and see what God has done with our lives. We can see that some unpleasant things had to happen for us to grow where we are now.

Time builds our faith, because it shows us through the perspective that God is always true to His word. He truly does use all things for the good of His children.

As time goes on, trust in His promises, that He has good plans for you, and that He masterfully weaves all of the events of your life–and the lives of those intertwined with yours–into a glorious tapestry you will one day get to see. Till then, may we embrace every moment for the gifts that they are, and make the most of them to His glory.