We have a long hallway on our second floor lined on both sides with family pictures. I love to move slowly from photo to photo relishing the memories each image produces. I see my sons when they were little guys and move along the progression of time that made them fine men. Today I found myself wondering if God has some great family album lining a hall in His house. Not only can He see us now but He can remember how we were. One of my friends told me that God can move through time like it was a circle and go back to whenever. I don’t think so. In my very limited intelligence I see time being linear and God sees us in the past like we see in the past, by using His memory.
One of the reasons I do not care for the idea of time being in a circle that God can easily go to at His will is that would make all things forever. Sin would be forever. Jesus would be on the cross forever. He would be dead in the tomb forever. In Hebrews we are told He died once for time. It is done. It is finished. I can only think that it is really over, never to be experienced again, but to have forever benefits.
So the question arises, “Can He see us as what we will be?” In His dreams as we do so in our dreams. I realize I am very limited when thinking about God. I am sure He is many times and many ways more expansive than what I can begin to imagine. I am speaking and thinking in ignorance. Yet I do believe time is linear. Someday we will know the truth. How grand.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 22, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org