God has given us just enough time

God has given us just enough time to do what we need to do moment by moment to respond to him. And his grace is there; it is eternally present. Every moment is a sacrament where time touches eternity and there is exactly enough time to do what God has called us to do.

^{Source: Bruce Hindmarsh http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/your-job-is-not-your-savior}

What a beautiful and fearful statement. It’s beautiful in that every moment belongs to God (therefore every moment is holy) and he gives each moment to us as a gift. And he gives us enough sacramental moments to provide for our sacred callings, whatever they are. It is fearful in that we are stewards of these gifts and we will be held accountable for their investment ^{(Matthew 25:14–30; 2 Corinthians 5:10)}. Fear and trembling is what we’re supposed to feel ^{(Philippians 2:12)}. We are to handle holy things with great care.

Yet in our trembling we are also to remember that God is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" ^{(Psalm 86:15)}.

^{Source: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-have-just-enough-time}

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Simon son of John lovest thou me?

Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? By these words Christ means that no man can faithfully serve the Church, and employ himself in feeding the flock, if he do not look higher than to men.

… the office of feeding is in itself laborious and troublesome; since nothing is more difficult than to keep men under the yoke of God, among whom there are many who are weak, others who are wanton and unsteady, others who are dull and sluggish, and others who are slow and unteachable.

Satan now brings forward as many causes of offense as he can, that he may destroy or weaken the courage of a good pastor. In addition to this, we must take into account the ingratitude of many and other causes of disgust.

No man, therefore, will steadily persevere in the discharge of this office, unless the love of Christ shall reign in his heart, in such a manner that, forgetful of himself and devoting himself entirely to Christ, he overcomes every obstacle.

Source: John Calvin

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