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Yesterday was “Spring Forward” and as we drove to church, I attempted to explain it to my almost 7-year-old daughter. Nothing quite equipped me to have these types of discussions with a tiny rational human who has not yet been indoctrinated into the groupthink of society.
Our conversation went something like this; “yesterday at this time it was 9 am but today everyone collectively decided in all states other than Arizona and Hawaii to pretend it’s 10 am and move our clocks forward one hour.” I could feel the vibe change in the car as my daughter pondered this thought, rolling it over in her head, and landed firmly on the decision that I was joking. Her retort, “Mom, you can’t just change the time and pretend it is another time, you are joking.” I glanced down at the car clock, the last holdout, and pushed the hour button while she watched, “see now it is 10 am!”
Our discussion continued the remainder of the drive and on the way home, she asked great questions.
Why do humans arbitrarily change the time?
What would happen if we just didn’t go along with it?
She accepted the concept not out of agreement but because our failure to comply would make us late to a slew of activities she enjoys. But these conversations remind me of the absurdity of human decision-making and what it was like to greet each new idea with awe and puzzlement. We are completely inept at controlling this world, so we change the rules to give us a perceived advantage.
He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
Psalms 104:19 NIV
God remains supreme and trying to justify the decisions of man to a child solidifies the disparity between our striving and His reigning. He sets the moon and the stars; the seasons change on His command; we create the concept of time and then with the touch of a button fiddle with it. What a powerful reminder delivered through the eyes of a child.
Whatever time it is when you read this, I can assure you that God is in control. His plans are for good, and He is not surprised by one ounce of darkness that prowls this fallen world. Mere mortals, let us never forget the mighty hand of our Creator in this day, this precious day, given to us to serve and grow the Kingdom.
Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice for me, for the breath that fills my lungs and the beating heart in my chest. Let me find ways today to show your love to others. -Amen