Running Out Of Time
- Imogen Cook
- Jul 18, 2022
- 6 min read
I’m going to be 30 next year. That certainly makes my heart rate increase slightly! The big 3-0 is a birthday that we either embrace or panic over, it really depends on our current state of mind. Currently for me, my mind is in a whirlwind.
For the past few years, I feel like I’ve spent more of my time thinking about things I have yet to do instead of just getting up and doing them. And of course, the more time we spend thinking leads to rarely getting things done. It’s a dangerous headspace because being in a state of constantly feeling like you’re running out of time, easily leads to panic. This has definitely rung true for me for a while.
As the pace of the world quickens, we have to work to keep up with it, making us stressed and anxious. Ultimately, we end up feeling like we’re not accomplishing what we should quick enough.
If you feel like this, please know that you’re not alone! I certainly don’t want us to be feeling like this, and neither does Jesus. For He said:
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Matthew 6:27 NLT.
In today’s blog, I would like to share about the experiences of two men, real men, who lived in this world and who constantly felt constrained under pressure to achieve what they believed they were meant to do. Just a heads up, I’m going to share details of their lives based on the musicals written about them. (If you know, you know I love a good musical!) Let’s dive in!
Jonathan Larson (Tick, Tick… BOOM, 2021)
When I watched the movie ‘Tick, Tick… BOOM’ earlier this year, its theme of feeling like you’re running out of time to accomplish your dreams really hit home for me. As a struggling creative, Jonathan was in a constant state of trying to find the right lyrics for the musical he was writing. I really relate to that because though I’m not a composer or a lyricist, when I sit down to write these blogs, it’s like I know what I want to say, but sometimes the right words just don’t come fast enough.
‘Tick, Tick… BOOM’ was Jonathan’s way of expressing what he was going through at this time in his life. It was the year 1990, and Jonathan was experiencing a lot of panic. He was just days away from presenting a workshop of a theatre show he was working on called Superbia, a sci-fi rock musical. However, he was also days away from his 30th birthday. In the first scene of this movie, Jonathan makes it clear what the theme of this story will be. He says,
“So, you know, lately, I’ve been hearing this sound. Everywhere I go, like a tick, tick tick. Like a time bomb in some cheesy B-movie, or a Saturday morning cartoon. The fuse has been lit.”
Throughout the story, Jonathan has it in his head that if this workshop isn’t a success, then his hopes of being an accomplished creative before he turns 30 will be gone, and everything he has done in his life up until then will have been a waste of time.
I think that’s what was so relatable about Jonathan. He was clearly incredibly talented (which we now know), but he hadn’t quite written what the world needed to hear. Like many of us, we are eager to share something meaningful with the world, but it doesn’t always happen as quickly as we would like it to. Instead, we can end up forcing something that doesn’t give the same impact we were wanting.
As the story progresses, we learn that the Superbia workshop and Jonathan’s hard work gets a resounding positive response, however theater directors didn’t quite see how it would translate into a show on the Broadway stage. It was a blow for Jonathan that sent him into a panic, leading him to announce that he would give up his creative life and get a high paying corporate job.
But when his best friend gets a diagnosis that could mean only a few more months to live, Jonathan reevaluates his decision. He decides that time is precious, and that he’d rather work on something meaningful instead of working a job that earns a high salary and secures lifestyle benefits. Definite food for thought!
We’ll get back to Jonathan in a minute, but before that, let me introduce another man.
Alexander Hamilton (Hamilton, 2020)
The story of Alexander Hamilton is a rough one. Born in Nevis, a small island in the Caribbean sea, Alexander went through a series of events that meant he was a homeless orphan before he was barely in his teens. He was taken in by a local merchant, but grew up with a strong knowledge of needing to work hard to rise to a place of importance. He wanted to prove that he had the brains and leadership to make a difference in this world.
From his education, to his service in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, to his leadership of the Treasury Department in the cabinet of President George Washington, Alexander was constantly on the go. He yearned to work as hard as he could to make the world a place where future generations could live in freedom. He wanted to prove that he could make a difference and establish a legacy before leaving this world.
Alexander Hamilton had a strong personality and a gift of writing which when combined, helped him talk his way out of anything. A recurring lyric throughout the Hamilton musical that is posed to Alexander is,
“Why do you write like you’re running out of time? Write day and night like you’re running out of time?”
I feel the pressure building every time I hear it! This is where Jonathan and Alexander are rather similar. This theme of wanting to accomplish something important before time is up is so relatable to me, is it the same for you?
A connection between Jonathan and Alexander.
Though Jonathan (born in 1960), and Alexander (born in 1757) lived on this earth decades apart, they share the tragedy of passing away far too early. Jonathan passed away from an unexpected and undiagnosed aortic dissection at the age of 35, whereas Alexander died from a gunshot wound during a duel at the age of 49. It is certainly confirmation that we truly have no clue as to when our time on earth will be done.
Maybe this is why their stories are so powerful? It’s a strong reminder that time is precious and important, but it also helps us realise that we shouldn’t spend our time stressing out about not succeeding, and in turn, not experiencing life.
The Biblical Truth
Running out of time can make things seem so urgent. And it is! When I think about all these ideas I have for my blog, I really want to get them written and out into the world because I have no idea who is out there who needs a word of encouragement or simply to know they’re not alone. I believe God has trusted me with this blog, in order to use it as an instrument to bring God’s light into this dark world. So I panic sometimes that I’m not getting content out as fast as I should.
For it says in the Bible,
“This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 NLT.
But as much as we are called to do the Lord’s work and to do it persistently, we are also called to take breaks, to sit with the Lord and ask Him to renew our strength. Jesus was a strong example in this.
“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” Mark 6:31 NLT.
I hope this is an encouragement!
You have been assigned a task that was given to you when you were created. Time is indeed precious and there is a lot to get done. We (and when I say we, I mostly mean I) need to learn that wasting time panicking and procrastinating is helping absolutely nothing. There is a lot that I want to get done for God’s Kingdom, but I can’t be effective if I’m not resting, prioritising, and taking things one day at a time.
So yes, in less than a year I will enter the fun 30s! I’ll be honest, I started writing this article when I was 28, but as I’ve crossed over into 29, I feel like God has taught me to breathe, and reflect on what has already been accomplished. (Which is why my writing here at the end is probably more relaxed than it was at the beginning). That’s a huge testament to God and His work in my life because without Him, I’m pretty sure the panic would just be getting worse. Instead, He is showing me that there are so many more incredible things to come.
Running out of time? Nah. Be thankful for today, and be excited for tomorrow!
Do you feel like you’re running out of time? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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