larshaukeland

19 The weaver’s shuttle

Encouragement for difficult days (19):

THE WEAVER’S SHUTTLE

“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.”

Job 7:6 

Centuries ago, a Roman poet penned the phrase “time flies”. However, a person doesn’t have to be a poet to know that time is always passing. Another poet has said “Time goes, you say? Oh no, time stays – we go!”

The older we get, the faster time seems to move. As soon as Christmas is over, it seems that summer is here. Then, before we know it, it’s time for buying Christmas presents again. In our day, time seems to go even faster than in the old days. I wonder what Job would have said if he had witnessed our modern world. He said time moved as quickly as a weaver’s shuttle zooming through the webbing and coming back again so quickly that you can hardly see it. Surely, this picture of a life quickly passing is even better today.

God is not affected by time and change like we are. He is the great “I am”. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and fir ever. God’s Word is forever settled in heaven. Heaven and earth may pass away, but His Word will never pass away. So if life is moving too fast for you, don’t fight it and don’t give in to it. Instead, surrender to Christ and let time work for you and not against you.

Some times, time seems to move quite slowly. If we are sick and find ourselves in hospital, it seems like time is moving like a slow creeping turtle. Alos if we’re waiting for something good (like a child waiting for Christmas), it almost seems like time is standing still. Job was in great suffering, but he still felt that time was moving too quickly. Maybe Job saw some goodness In the swiftness of life.

First, since life was moving rapidly, our circumstances will change. We don’t know how many days are involved in the story of Job, but we do know thar one day God appeared on the scene, and Job ended up in better condition than when he started.

Second, since our lives are like a weaver’s shuttle, there is a pattern and a purpose involved. God controls the shuttle and God has a pattern for our lives. This ought to encourage us no matter how difficult the days may be. As long as God is on the throne, there is hope.

Did you ever look on the wrong side of the loom? There is really nothing beautiful about it. After the work is completed, the weaver takes the work off the loom and cuts off the extra threads and puts the finishing touches on the blanket or the sweater or whatever he’s making.  You and I are still on the loom. God is still working on us! God is the weaver. Never judge the weaver by an unfinished product. The weaver knows best. Don’t try to change the colour or the pattern.