Lesson 33. Time—A Language of Love

The most precious thing we possess—something given to all of us in equal measure, yet which we sometimes neglect—is our time. Every morning people receive an entire day of time, which they may use at their own discretion.

Time was given to humanity after our first parents violated God’s prohibition. Sin entered the world, and together with it came time, which began counting down the span of human life.

Our life consists of the time we spend living it. When the breath of life leaves us, our time stops with it. A person dies. Everything that person managed to do during the allotted span of time is called a life. All a person’s deeds are written in special Heavenly books of deeds, on the basis of which that person will be judged. The books are closed so that they may later be opened at the final, dreadful judgment. And everyone will receive according to what they deserve—that is, according to the deeds they performed.

There is another Book in Heaven—the Book of Life—in which are written the names of those who accepted the conditions of their salvation, believed in Jesus, and spent their lives loving God and people. These souls are declared alive and do not come into judgment, but have passed from death unto life.

Revelation 20:12 says: “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

Time is the language of love of those who value it in a special way—those who understand that when they give someone their time, they give that person themselves. Such people consider this gift the most important of all. In their eyes, every other language of love becomes less significant in comparison with the language of time. If I decide to devote my time to a person near me who speaks this language, that person does not need many words or gifts in order to open their heart. For that soul, time spent together will be the finest gift expressing my love.

A study was conducted among a group of people. It was observed that when an appeal was made to collect funds for material assistance to those in need, these people willingly donated small sums. But when an appeal was made to give the needy their time instead of material support—to visit them and simply talk with them—it became clear that the people were prepared to give much more money and work harder to earn those funds, if only they would not have to go anywhere or visit anyone.

The expression “I have no time” has become the motto of many people. And indeed, there is no time for those whom you do not need or find interesting.

Now, while the whole world is in quarantine, everyone has time, but it is very difficult to give it to those toward whom you are indifferent.

When time is the language of love of one member of a family, that person’s expectations amount to a desire that others speak with them in precisely this language. Such a person is ready even to communicate in silence, treasuring every moment spent together. The more time you give people like this, the happier their lives become.

Time is money. This is how our world lives, having decided to reduce human life to material values. And there is a measure of bitter truth in these words. But when a person goes to the grave, few remember how much time that person spent at work. What comes to mind are pleasant memories of those moments in life when that person was near—what we did, discussed, and planned together, and how much time we spent with one another. How precious these memories are to those who speak the language of time! At such moments you understand that money is not everything. Love cannot be bought. The whole world is not worth even one hour spent with someone you love.

Love teaches the language of time and shows how and with whom it is best to communicate in it. But the time I give a person does not necessarily have to involve my physical presence. It may be given through my good deeds, through providing help, through writing letters, or through a telephone conversation. Every minute of life devoted to such a friend is experienced by that person as a moment spent with you personally, because during that time they thought about you, communicated with you, read your letters, and looked upon your deeds.

God also loves to communicate in the language of time, and He is ready to give Himself to every person for as long as He is needed. By my attitude toward God, I show how dear He is to me.

Time is what I can use to pay Jesus for the treasures He offers me to purchase in His message to Laodicea. The more time I give, the more I will be able to possess. The gifts of Heaven are given to me without measure, but by investing my life in them, I make them part of myself. And God establishes me in this.

Time will never end. The moment will never come when I can say, “That is all, Lord. I have paid the full price for Thy love and righteousness; now I can attend to my own affairs.” That will never happen. Love is continually given to me in exchange for my time and my sins. My life is spent either in lawlessness or in love. Acquiring Heavenly gold means choosing the direction of my life, throughout which I continue paying Jesus for His merchandise and have the full right to use it. And to receive eternal Love, eternal life is necessary; otherwise, an equal exchange cannot take place. In that case, Heaven may refuse me.

My fellowship with you, friends, and your fellowship with me costs time, and it may take place either in the spirit of love or merely from duty. In the first case, the Lord makes this time golden and blesses it. Any other motives grieve Him. Yet we are in a school where God desires to teach us to value our time, understand its importance, and manage it properly. When I buy gold tried in the fire, I understand how much it costs and the true value of such a purchase. In essence, I take the offered merchandise on a lifelong lease at the highest price I can pay. And I simply have no time left for anything else.

God’s language of time is one of the most visible tests for me. I will have no excuse if I devote this time not to Him but to the works of the flesh. Yet I can take God into everything I do and everything by which I live. He is with me in every kind of work, and love is my motivating purpose in every undertaking. I love—this means that all my time belongs to Jesus, and He directs it. This is a very difficult language of love, but it is worth learning.

1. In the light of this lesson, please read Luke 21:36; John 6:3; Matthew 9:10; and Acts 14:28.

2. What did you understand from this lesson?

3. How much time does Jesus spend saving people from the power of sin?

4. What can be done for a friend whose language of love is time? How can you express your love?

5. Do you enjoy communicating with God in this language of love? If so, how do you do it?

6. Is it worth learning this language of love if you understand another language better?

7. How can you tell that a friend’s language of love is time?