Take Time To Be Holy

Snowflakes drifted slowly down from above, all shapes and sizes. I remembered from a long-ago science class that supposedly no two snowflakes are the same. Since I have not examined all the snowflakes in the past, and I really doubt that I will examine all those to come, I take this on faith and thank a wonderfully creative God for being able to do such fabulous things.

This same God Who makes innumerable snowflakes, also makes all of us people here on earth. He knows us all and has made us all different. Jesus told us that "even the hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30). Even more precious to us is God's statement:

Jeremiah 1:5a – Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. (RSV)

What a magnificent thought: our Creator knows us so well, and because we are His creation, He loves us. The apostle Peter indicates an appropriate response to such love:

1 Peter 1:14-16 – As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (RSV)

In a recent worship service, we paused and took a silent moment of communion with God. We were to be holy, to listen to our Creator speak to us in our hearts, to feel His love pouring down on all of us as we silently shared our thanks, joys, requests, and other intimate things. I can't speak for anyone else, but there was an energy and tension in the sanctuary as we took that holy time with God.

W.D. Longstaff in his hymn "Take time to be holy" has it all summed up for us:

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, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Even the ten commandments encourage us to take a holy time:

Exodus 20:8 – Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (RSV)

These holy times strengthen our faith, encourage us as we are nourished by His Spirit, and inspire us to become better servants of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. These holy times are available whenever we need them, even "on the fly". And then, they encourage us to:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The strife will not be long; …
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
       – George Duffield

Prayer: Almighty, creative and creating God, thank You for making the universe, earth, and all things, including us, and letting us share Your creation. Help us to care for and tend our spot in the order of things and to be good and faithful servants of all that You give us. May we become more Christlike in our holy times and thus prepared to stand up for Jesus when we are called to do so. In the precious name of Your Son Jesus, we ask this of You, Lord God. Amen.

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