As I was reading this morning I came across this hymn, “Take Time to Be Holy.” In reflecting on the title alone I find great wisdom for us to carry into the weeks ahead. I care deeply for all of you and want to be an encouragement as we point each other to Jesus and become more like him. Brothers and sisters, keep your eyes on Jesus and walk in a manner worthy of your calling (Eph. 4:1).
Take time
I often hear the words “I don’t have time . . .” come out of my mouth and the mouths of those around me. I believe we are accurate in our words only because we don’t take the time we need, to do what we need to do.
We all know that time is limited and it can’t be slowed down. The words from the song “Fly Like an Eagle” come to mind: “Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ / Into the future.” It is important that we take time for what’s important or time will be taken from us.
Everything takes time so go ahead and take some back.
Be holy
What do we do with this time that we are taking back? Be holy.
“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44
There is a great article called “How Do Love and Holiness Relate?” that I recommend reading if you are interested in learning more about God’s love, holiness, and what we are to consecrate ourselves to. I encourage you to take some time to read and reflect on this hymn today:
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God’s children; help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide,
And run not before him, whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.
–William D. Longstaff, “Take Time to Be Holy”
