Lesson 4. Punctuality

We live in a world of time. It was given to us after the Fall. We managed to divide it into hours, then into minutes, seconds, and microseconds. Whereas twelve o’clock in the afternoon once meant approximately an hour earlier or later, today it means 12:00 precisely.

If you live in Switzerland for a while, you will be surprised by how meticulously and precisely everything is calculated there. In Japan, one minute means one minute consisting of sixty seconds—and no more.

And yet we also live in the spiritual world, which has its own rules and laws. When I arrange to meet God at a certain time and then arrive late, I thereby express my lack of reverence for Him. He is kind; He will understand and forgive, but the fact remains that I consider myself more important than Him.

Self-discipline is very important in every area of life, and especially in spiritual life. Punctuality is welcomed in every society, even among the good angels. If I enter into an agreement with someone, I am expected to fulfill my obligations according to that agreement.

If I agree upon a particular time, my presence is expected at that time.

I live in a country where all relationships are built upon trust. Documents here hardly even have official seals, because people do not need them. My word carries great weight, and my signature guarantees that I agree with or will fulfill what I have signed.

By entering this School of Love, friends, you have undertaken the responsibility of studying this science properly. It is very multifaceted, complex, beautiful, and interesting. You cannot even imagine what you are coming into contact with. In this School we are given enormous advantages: to learn the laws of Eternity, to study them, and to live by them even now. This journey has begun, and we will complete it. Jesus has already prepared this road and will Himself teach us.

Today, together with an answer to the homework, I received the following response from our friend:

“This is a blessing. Yes. And you know, I write things down and reflect upon them, and in my heart I feel God’s support. I love His approval and the realization that you are doing something right—that quiet yet profound joy. I am certain that this work you have begun will bring good results for people.”

I believe that many of you will experience something similar—and something even greater and better. This is only the beginning.

Love fills the heart with happiness, and happiness draws me into friendship with those whom I can make happy. Most interesting of all, the love that we sow into one another sprouts and bears much fruit.

By acting punctually, I express my respect and regard for the person with whom I am dealing.

Write this down in your notebook: love is punctual, but it does not reproach those who do not understand this or have not learned it.

I often attend various gatherings, and sometimes I am surprised that a schedule is issued, the beginning of a meeting is announced, and a time is set, yet almost no one arrives by that time—including the organizers themselves. I always wonder: do these people arrive this way for a train or airplane as well? But then I make myself smile, become filled with love, and rejoice that at some point we will begin anyway. It was difficult for me to understand why my brothers acted this way. I wanted to find an excuse for them and decide how I should properly relate to it. Then the Lord reminded me how many times I myself had arrived late to spiritual events and how He had received and blessed me. Afterward, He pointed me to the good Samaritan, who did not arrive at all where he was supposed to be. And I became calm. It is written of Jesus and of those who love God that they will not quench the smoking flax or break the bruised reed until they bring forth judgment unto victory. And only the one who loves is victorious. I do not know the true circumstances of these people; I do not know their struggles or motives. Perhaps they have become disappointed in everything and simply need a friend. Therefore, I do not judge anyone in any way.

I was told about a missionary in Africa. He was hurrying to the beginning of a meeting, but his driver kept stopping beside every person and talking for a long time. When asked why he had stopped yet again, the driver calmly replied that he had not seen this woman for a long time, so he had asked about all ten of her children and could continue driving only after listening to her. The driver asked the missionary not to worry, because all the people would arrive later anyway. They arrived late, but the meeting hall was empty. After three hours of waiting, the hall filled with guests, and they began. With my European way of thinking, it is difficult for me to understand such an order of things, but God has His Own plans for these people, and He knows how to approach and address each one of them.

And yet God teaches me to be punctual.

Punctuality in small things teaches me diligence in greater things.

1. Please read Isaiah 55:10–11; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ecclesiastes 3:1–8; Philippians 2:3–4; Proverbs 21:5; Ephesians 5:15–16; and Philippians 1:10 in the light of our lesson.

2. What did you understand from this lesson?

3. Do you like punctual people?

4. Is punctuality connected with a person’s spirituality?

5. What should a person do to become punctual?

6. Can a punctual person be proud, unforgiving, or harsh?