It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye... (1 Corinthians 15:52)

Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:13-14)

    One hour I received a phone call from a friend telling of the birth of a healthy baby boy. The next hour I talked with a man who fears his only son has lost his way and may never find his way home.

    One hour the late evening news reminds me that another terrorist attack warning has been issued. An hour later my favorite team comes from behind to win a game in the World Series (of course the other team came back to win the series in their last at bat in the last game).

    One hour I am laughing as a friend shares a story about her happy childhood. An hour or so later I am handing a box of tissues to a lady as she tells her story of a very unhappy and tragic childhood.

    One hour I am reading of God’s goodness and kindness and saying my prayers. An hour later I am sitting in traffic thinking very unkind thoughts about the person in front of me.

    One hour life is simple and uncomplicated. An hour later I realize that life has changed completely and has become very complicated.

    One hour I’m leading a discussion of how marriages get into trouble and how families fall apart. An hour later I’m watching families demonstrate how to make good marriages better and how strong families can grow stronger.

    One hour I’m watching the sunrise and marveling at God’s creation. An hour later I see only clouds and question His actions.

    Unless I miss my guess, some who read these words have experienced, and are experiencing, these same dramatic shifts in attitude, disposition, and life perspective. That is life, isn’t it. Up and down. High and low. Good and bad. Happiness and sorrow. Joy and pain. Success and failure.

Life can change radically in an instant.

    No matter exactly how long your “one hour” may be, life can change radically in an instant and all the things that you once thought were certain now are all up in the air. The Bible, which has been around for much longer than “one hour,” reminds us that life has always been that way.

    “One hour” Adam and Eve were enjoying God’s special garden, the next hour they were driven from that garden.

    “One hour” God’s people were faithful and true, the next they were rebellious and selfish.

    “One hour” David was a powerful king, the next he was tempted and weak.

    “One hour” the followers of Jesus felt betrayed and bewildered by seeing Jesus dying on a cross, the next they were overjoyed and courageously sharing the story of their risen Lord.

    One hour can make a lot of difference. Stay with it! Stay with God! Who is God of the moment, and God of eternity.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:8)

© 2001, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!

Title: "One Hour"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: November 13, 2001

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