Every year when we go to Daylight savings time, I get confused. Am I gaining an hour of rest, or am I losing an hour of rest. If it was 8:00 before the time change, then you add one hour to that to get the correct time. So, the way I see it, when we try to have more light in our day, it comes with a great price: we lose an hour of sleep.

Have we in all the years that Daylight Savings time has existed, ever really lost or gained an hour? No, there are still twenty-four hours in each day. What has changed is how we allocate that time. Not all areas observe Daylight Savings time which was first introduced during war time, to give people more hours of light to help the war effort.

It worked. Now, I am confused with time all year long.

Just when I adjust to the old routines of daily living, the time changes, and I have to readjust to accommodate the new extended hour of light. Granted, I am so ready for the more light that Spring brings, because it makes me happy to be able to open up the house and breathe fresh air. But if you think on it for a while, nothing has really changed: there are still twenty four hours in a day.

More light results in a better attitude.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world. When he comes on the scene, darkness leaves. Our understanding is heightened, as we turn towards his brilliance. Light brings healing, joy, and laughter. It brings a mindset of taking care of overdue projects around the house: such as, cleaning the windows, raking up pine straw, bringing order to the homes we live in. All of those tasks that maybe winter has kept you from tackling, you are ready to tackle. It only takes light.

Spiritually, have we allowed the time changes to impact what we can and can not be involved in?

Do we still have a passion for ministry, even if it requires leaving an hour earlier to pick up children on a bus ministry, or sacrificing our only day off from work, to go on outreach?

And, what about our commitment to show up to the house of God when the doors are open? Do we even give our absence a second thought, or, are we so used to skipping out when other things distract us away? Have we become desensitized to the voice of the Holy Spirit, when he encourages us to make good choices?

It is definitely time for a change. It’s time to Spring Forward and do the will of God.

2015-3-8 Spring Forward