Technical Difficulties – Two: Time
Have you ever driven a vehicle with the words in the passenger side view mirror “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear”? The design of the mirror was originally made by Engineer Elmer Berger who applied for a patent on the “Cop-Spotter” door mirror in 1921. Mirrors on cars were options that would eventually became standard equipment on all vehicles.
The way we see things is dependent upon how the light reflects off of an object. The color, shape, texture as well as other characteristics that make up an object impacts the direction and intensity of the reflection of light off an objects exterior surface. When using something like a mirror we are using an intermediary object between our site and that of the object. This influences our perception of the object and sometimes the object we see in the mirror is distorted as a result.
The shape of a mirror also influences our perception of an object. For example, on our cars the passenger-side mirrors are convex (curved slightly outward). A convex mirror reduces the blind spots on the passenger side of a car. This is done by the curve of the mirror allowing us to have a wider field of view. However, it is a distorted view because it causes objects to appear farther away.
I mention all this because, in our lives we tend to see time through mirrors. We see time’s reflection in the face of our parents, children, in others and ourselves. In fact, it reminds me of how we view so many aspects of our lives through phones. The phones have become highly technical mirrors. I can take out my phone right now and see my kids at any age I would like to see them at and at any time. And just like the side view mirror on my car the view I get from it distorts my perception of time.
This brings me to what I wanted to share with you. Very recently, a dear friend of mine passed away suddenly. I never thought that he would be taken away from his family and those who loved him like this in the very middle of life. It was and is a shock and it was and is a wakeup call for me. It leaves your numb and heartbroken when you experience a shock like this. I know many of you reading this know exactly what I mean. As I drove back from the hospital after saying goodbye, I noticed in the mirror of my car the words, “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”
It’s a powerful truth, none of us truly know how much time we have on this earth. All of us think we have time. Time to work, time to plan a graduation, to vacation, time to see the grandchildren, time to go to work, time to finish that project, time for a friend, time for a family member. The perception of the time we have is distorted by the mirrors in our lives. As James wrote in Chapter 4:13-14 of God’s Holy Word:
Look here, you 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 your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
Do not waste another precocious moment on things that are not important. Don’t let another moment go by without knowing Jesus as your savior. Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear…
Peace and Love in Christ,
Phillip Allen