What is Time? Understanding God’s Perspective

Have you ever sat and wondered, “What is time?” You know, we live by it, we measure it, and we experience it—every day. But, when you really stop and think about it, does time actually exist? Is it real, or is it just something we’ve made up to organize our lives? And if time does exist, what is its purpose, and how does it relate to us and our God?

Today, I want us to take a deep dive into time from God’s perspective. We know that God is infinite, timeless, and eternal, and He created time for a reason. But why? What does that mean for us, and how should we be handling this precious thing called "time" that we all have, yet sometimes feel like we don’t have enough of?

God is Timeless

Let’s start by recognizing something profound about God. God is not bound by time. He existed before time began, and He will exist after time as we know it ends. In Psalm 90:2, it says,

"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."

God isn’t sitting up in Heaven with a stopwatch or a calendar. He’s beyond time. For God, there is no “past,” no “future,” only now. He sees all of time as one continuous moment. To Him, a thousand years is like a single day, and a day is like a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8).

Now, imagine that! God is timeless. Eternal. He’s not bound by the ticking of the clock. In fact, He created time itself—He is the author of time. But just because He exists beyond time doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about time. Quite the opposite. He cares a great deal about how we use the time He’s given us.

God Created Time for a Purpose

Now, if God is timeless and eternal, why would He create time? Why would He create something that has a beginning and an end, something that keeps on ticking away, always moving forward, never stopping? The answer is: For us.

In Genesis 1, God created the heavens and the earth in six days. He marked the beginning of time. Before that, there was nothing. Just God, existing in eternity. But when He created the universe, He started something new: time. He set up days, and seasons, and marked time for the earth and for humanity.

Time is God’s gift to us. It’s a tool for us to accomplish His will. It’s a means to live out our purpose on this earth. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Time is a framework within which we experience life, grow, change, and fulfill our God-given purpose.

And here’s the thing—time is finite. Time, by its very nature, has a beginning and an end. God set it up this way. In the same way that He created the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden, He will one day bring time to a close. Revelation 21:6 says,

"It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." He began time, and He will end it, just as He planned.

The Beginning and the End

Since time is finite, it’s essential to recognize that our time here on earth is limited. The Bible teaches us that time is precious—a gift, and we are meant to be good stewards of it. Psalm 90:12 says,

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

This is a call to recognize that our time is not infinite. We don’t know how much of it we have.

The reality is that God’s purposes for us are tied to the time He’s given us. Time has a beginning and an end, and the way we live our lives within that time frame matters. What we do with the time we have is important—whether it’s time spent with family, time spent in service to others, time spent in prayer and worship, or time spent fulfilling the unique calling that God has placed on our lives.

Now, don’t get me wrong—God isn’t sitting up there with a stopwatch, counting every second to see if we’re “doing enough.” He’s not stressing out over our calendars. But He has given us time as a precious resource, and it’s up to us to use it wisely. What we do with our time affects our eternal destiny.

Our Purpose and Time

God created time, and He gave us the gift of life within it, not just to fill the hours with work or entertainment, but to live with purpose. We are not here by accident. We were made with a divine purpose, and our time on earth is a key part of fulfilling that purpose. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says,

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God has specific tasks for us to accomplish, and time is the framework that allows us to do that. We have the privilege of being a part of His grand story, and how we choose to live within the time He’s given us will echo into eternity.

But here's the thing: time will pass, whether we make the most of it or not. If we waste our time complaining, or dwelling in the past, or putting off what God has called us to do, we’re missing out on the opportunity to make a difference.

How to Use Our Time Wisely

So, how should we address time in our lives? How can we live intentionally, knowing that our time here is limited?

1. Surrender your time to God – Just as we surrender our hearts to God, we must surrender our time. Romans 12:1 says,

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

That includes our time. Give God the first part of your day. Make time for prayer, worship, and the Word. Let God direct your schedule.

2. Be present – Don’t waste time stressing about the future or regretting the past. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow, because each day has enough trouble of its own. Focus on what God is calling you to do right now, today.

   
   

3. Live with eternity in mind – Understand that how you spend your time here has eternal consequences. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says,

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Every moment matters when we see it through the lens of eternity.

3. Don’t waste time in bitterness or unforgiveness – Time is too precious to hold on to grudges. Forgive, move forward, and make the most of every opportunity God gives you.

   
   

4. Invest in relationships – God has given us time not just to work and achieve, but to love others. Spend time with your family, your friends, and those around you. Time spent loving and serving others is never wasted.

   
   

Conclusion: Embrace the Gift of Time

Church, time is not a burden; it’s a gift. And God has given it to us for a purpose—to live for Him, to love others, and to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives. We must not take it for granted. Every breath we take is a moment given by God, and He’s waiting for us to make the most of it.

Time has a beginning and an end, but what we do with the time in between can change the course of eternity. Let’s use our time wisely, live with intention, and surrender every moment to the One who created time itself.

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for the precious gift of time. We recognize that You are the Creator of time and that You’ve given us this time to fulfill Your will. Help us to number our days and use them wisely. May we live with purpose, focus, and surrender to Your will, knowing that You hold our time in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May you walk with wisdom today, Church, making the most of the time God has given you! Every moment counts, so let’s live for Him!