Where’s the Fire? Thoughts on Running Out of Time and Life

Last updated on: January 4, 2017 at 10:49 am by Paul Louis Metzger

Where’s the Fire? Thoughts on Running Out of Time and Life 2017-01-04T10:49:46-08:00 Paul Louis Metzger

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Photo Credit: RetinaFunk

Why are we often in such a hurry? As the old saying goes, “Where’s the fire?” Is the fire really a fear of losing time—or our lives? In reflecting upon time and technological means to speed us along in space, Karl Barth writes,

If only one could say why all these people rushing by so quickly are in such a hurry, why it is that they are so terribly pressed, as may be seen very forcibly today on every street! What do they propose to do with the time and energy saved? When people of such different places and localities are so surprisingly brought together, what do they think of saying to one another? How far is the enhanced speed of our movements to and fro really necessary or rewarding? Are people in such a hurry because they are afraid of something? What are they afraid of? Be that is it may, what have the automobile, the airplane, and the rocket brought about in human life that is not just different but better as compared with the time of walking and the stagecoach, better, that is to say, in terms of true pleasantness, the understanding and mastering of serious problems and needs, the real relations between people? Have they given us a more open, profound, fruitful, beautiful, and kindly view of the cosmos around us, a more vital one than that of Goethe? Do not modern travelers rush undeviantly past a hundred noteworthy things, blind where their forefathers could see, and perhaps flying over them altogether up in the void?[1]

Surely our modern forms of transportation have helped us get along much more comfortably in so many ways. Still, has our apparent moves to fill up every moment of time and every nook and cranny of space helped us along in life? Or are we losing our grip on reality, even as we seize time and space by the throat? Why do we grasp? What are we afraid of? Are we afraid of running out of time and life?

I turned 52 yesterday. But the year in life is somewhat relative. Switch the numbers around and I’m 25 again! I am getting older, but older in relation to what and whom? Age is really a condition of the heart and imagination in many ways. In fact, I become younger of heart when I do not seek to gain a grip on time, but entrust the years of my life to the Ancient of Days. In fact, the greater my fear of God, the more I will use the time entrusted to me for lasting purposes (See Psalm 90).

Jesus talks about the rich fool who sought to get a grip on life by storing up all his goods for himself rather than share them with others. God took his life, and there was nothing left for him upon which to cling. He was rich in terms of the world’s possessions, but not toward God (Luke 12:16-21). In contrast, Jesus tells his disciples not to fear, but to give to the poor because God’s eternal kingdom has been given to them.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:32-34; ESV)

You would think the older one gets the more one would take to heart Jesus’ warning about the rich fool—after all, one draws closer to the grave with every passing day. Instead of trying to make an eternity out of time, it is important to live our passing moments in light of eternity. One can save time and money, but lose out on what really counts—God, people—including the poor, relationships.

God, teach me during this new year of life to be sober-minded and invest more than ever in relationships for your name’s sake.

______________________________

[1]Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, vol. IV/4, The Christian Life (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981), page 231.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 4, 2016

What does it mean to be a Christian innovator in the 21st century? Don’t look to Donald Trump.

Next Post

March 15, 2016 Where Do Religious People Go for Answers to Scientific Questions?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz