"So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel
had defeated its enemies." Joshua 10:13 NLT
What could I do with an extra day?
Almost every four years, an extra day is added to February. More than 2,000
years ago, Roman general Julius Caesar introduced Leap Years into the Roman
world, which at that time used the Julian calendar. Every year that was
divisible by four was classified a Leap Year. This practice produced too many
Leap Years but wasn't corrected until the introduction of the Gregorian
calendar.
Leap Years are necessary to sync the Gregorian calendar with the earth's
revolutions around the sun. The earth requires 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes,
and 46 seconds to make one revolution. Since the Gregorian calendar year only
has 365 days, failing to add one day every four years would mean losing six
hours annually and a total of 24 days over 100 years.
Joshua needed extra time. Daylight was waning, and he hadn't finished defeating
God's enemies. He decided to pray and ask God for more time. God answered by
allowing the sun to stand still.
I've often wished for more than an extra day. A few more hours in every day
would do nicely.
Joshua's reason for needing extra time was admirable; mine doesn't always fall
into the same category. I suppose when God gives extra time I need to reflect on
why I have it. Is it because I'm lazy? Are there things I should do? Does God
have plans I'm not following? Does He want me to rest?
Of course, the opposite may also be true. God might withhold extra time because
I'm not using His allotted time judiciously. Jesus tells several parables
demonstrating the necessity of using wisely what God has given along with
warning about what can happen when I don't.
Leap Year gives me an extra day for meditation-and perhaps action. A day that
won't surface for another four years. A day to meditate on some crucial
questions: "What have I done with Jesus?" And "What am I doing for Him?" A day
to contemplate His goodness in spite of my badness as well as His undeserved
unconditional love and forgiveness even when I don't meet His expectations.
Leap Year re-aligns the calendar with the earth's rotation, preventing the loss
of time. Taking advantage of the extra time God gives can re-align priorities,
decisions, relationships, and life in general.
Use Leap Year's extra day to take a leap of faith.
Martin Wiles Hodges, South Carolina, USA
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