Have you ever stopped to think about what the planet would be like without clocks? Void of the tick, tick, tick and gong, gong, gong, how different would our lives be? Years ago, Hannah and I were traveling with Chad and Hillary Blake doing ministry work in Europe, and we ended our trip with a couple days of rest and recreation in Prague. Probably one of the most beautiful cities on earth, it happens to be the home of the world’s oldest operating astronomical clock. Dating from the Medieval Age and commissioned in 1410, this magnificent timepiece features a show called “The Walk of the Apostles,” in which Apostles and various figures move across the face throughout the hour. Interestingly, the most notable part of the display is an ominous-looking skeleton that strikes the gong every time the hour turns. A stark reminder of death and the fleeting nature of time, it brings with it a somber realization that our lives are constantly passing us by. Interestingly, however, clocks were not invented to be a source of anxiety; instead, they were created by monks as a reminder to pray. The word clock comes from the French word “cloche,” which means bell, and whenever the inhabitants of a monastery heard the sound, they were to stop and talk to God. You see, though the passage of time can easily give us cause for angst, the origin of the clock serves as a potent reminder to turn it over to the Lord, who alone gives us strength to embrace every moment.

My friend, if you’re anxious about where you are in life, surrender your concern to Jesus. When you find yourself “racing the clock” — whether dealing with an illness, struggling to meet your own expectations, or waiting for a major life event — lay the fullness of your earthly time in His powerful hands. He has every part of your story intricately planned, and His heart is overflowing with love for you. He wants the very best for your future, and even now, He is authoring good and perfect gifts in your present. Wait patiently for Him, and He will soothe your soul, comfort your mind, and carry you safely into every coming season.