By Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
Today’s deadlines usually don’t carry the threat of actual death, but rather hold the weight of fees, demerits, or lost opportunities. Have you faced a deadline before in which you could not complete the required task? Whether it’s scoring a winning point before the buzzer, paying a bill or submitting a report, as the final minute approaches, stress and anxiety escalates and perhaps you imagine your life hinges on the accomplishment made or missed in that moment.
Merriam-Webster notes the origin of this English term deadline to a practice in the 1860’s of having a marked line at prisons where convicts would be shot if they crossed it. A grim and finite deadline indeed. There are a few deadline scenarios in scripture that inspire me. One is found in Daniel chapter 2. The year is 604 BC and King Nebuchadnezzar reigns over the Chaldean dynasty of Babylon. The regent has a troubling dream and summons all the astrologers, sorcerers and sages. Without divulging any details of his vision he commands them to describe and interpret the dream or they will all be killed and have their homes destroyed. They try to explain the impossible nature of the task but the King is unmoved. When the executioner comes for Daniel, a prophet from Israel, he manages to convince the king to extend the deadline so he can seek God’s counsel. After a season of prayer with friends, God reveals the king’s vision and symbolism to Daniel that very night. What power can a death threat or deadline hold over us when we can call on The One True God, Our Creator and Saviour. Time and again He demonstrates victory over manufactured endpoints, securing our hope and future when we place our full trust in Jesus.