There is no such thing as making up for lost time, because every moment counts for itself. Time is a precious commodity, even more valuable than money. Why? Because time is the formula for life happening. Without time, there would be no going to school or building careers, no eating meals or driving to get from one place to the other, no reproduction of life and no getting old or dying. Time allows us to live, and that is why at the beginning of each new year I get reflective and excited at the same time.


At the dawn of 2010, most of us will look back and think of the good and bad we’ve accomplished. Then we will look forward and make new goals, most of which will not be reached unless we are the rare breed that carries out every intention with a 100% success rate. But however you look at it, we judge ourselves, mankind that is, by what gets done and what we have to show for it. The question is, after all the laboring and refining, is the result pure gold or ashes? Some people say it is not about what you do, but who you are. That is true only to an extent. According to James 2:20, faith without works is dead. You know who you are by your relationship with Christ, but if there is no evidence of faith by your life’s example, your identity becomes invalid. The same is true for a song. I once thought of a lovely title called “Beautiful City”. But for months I had no words or melodies to give it meaning. It just sat there, two words, “Beautiful City”. All that time was wasted, because “Beautiful City”, the song, was just a shell until music and lyrics animated it.


Let me get to the point. Most persons reading this article are creative musically, artistically, etc. If you are waiting for God to reveal the right time to execute your talent, you might spend your life waiting and have nothing to present to the Creator in the end. No matter what level you are at, whether it be drawing cool pictures in Sunday School or performing as a band for thousands, your gift is not meant to remain stagnant. Of course, there are appropriate times to pursue different avenues for your gifts. For example, if you know your gift is stand up comedy but you have never experienced performing in front of an audience (of any size), don’t try to get yourself booked at large national conferences and win the hearts of thousands instantly. The Lord gives us time for a reason. He blesses us with time so that we can perfect our craft and be strengthened by him in the process, so that he can change one soul at a time through us.


Almost three years ago I gave up my career as a school teacher to pursue singing and songwriting. I set a goal to have a record deal in two years. Well, two years passed, and now I look back and think, why didn’t God grant me what I asked for? I worked so hard and built up my talent and sacrificed so much to obtain excellence. And what do I have to show for it? God has reminded me that its not what I have to show, its what I have given. And then I think to myself, when I go to meet the Lord at the end of my life, do I want to present to him my record deal or the evidence of souls won for his sake?


What is valuable on earth is worthless in heaven, and what is valuable in heaven is worthless on earth. But one thing has been given to us now, and that is the luxury of time. Use it wisely. He only makes one of each of us, with a certain gift to share with the world. So go ahead and set your goals for 2010, but plan them carefully with lots of giving in mind.


- Post by Erica Lane, a Cloud Ten Entertainment recording artist