The Passing of Time

For people in our culture, it can seem that our calendar in its present form has been accepted throughout eternity. But many of the dates we take for granted were, until fairly recently, matters of controversy.

Historian Daniel Boorstin explains that, “during most of human history,” there was “no scheme at all for dating events in one place in relation to events in another place.” In fact, the way dates were established often was highly divisive.

For example, beginning the new year on January 1 was a pagan practice, when the Romans began their year. This explains “why the Church opposed observance of that day.”

But gradually these objections were forgotten. Through the use of almanacs and calendars, by the end of the 16^th century, January 1 generally was accepted as beginning the “new year.”

While people develop their own ways to organize time, the Bible makes clear that God has a unique perspective. At the beginning of creation, He provided signposts to mark time. He established days, weeks, and years to remind us of the past, and to have His perspective on our lives. He also established a specific calendar for His people. On His calendar, the year began on Rosh Hashanah, celebrated annually.

At the same time, the Bible reminds us that God is beyond time. What for us might seem like years can be as brief as a few hours to Him.

As you approach what our culture describes as a new year, pause for a moment, and commit the future to God. Remember that He has a different perspective of time. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). But His Word also reminds us that we need to be watchful, for “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Be careful what you do with your time.