In the summer before my senior year in college, I remained on campus to do research in molecular biology. In 1983, this research was cutting edge, introducing mutations into a gene of the papaya protein papain to increase its ability to digest the target protein. Utilizing the tools of the day, it took nearly the entire summer before our research team was able to obtain meaningful data that we could present at a national meeting. It was painstaking and often frustrating work. After entering medical school and residency, I did not continue my research in this field. A few years ago, I was curious about the latest advances in molecular biology and I was dumbfounded. The pace of advancements has telescoped. What once took months could now be accomplished in minutes.
As the world enters the new year of 2020 and a new decade, the passage of time has similarly telescoped for my life. In the past decade, my daughter has entered college, my son has entered high school, and my parents have passed away. All of these are significant life-changing events, but the most important was, during this decade, I repented of my sins and recommitted my life to Jesus Christ.
Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:34 (ESV)
During a drunken stupor, all meaningful concepts of time are frequently lost and events may be telescoped or even forgotten. During the first years of the preceding decade, this was my sordid state. I lived a blatantly sinful life. A few moments and minutes of sin slipped into months which quickly became years of rebellion. I never would have believed it would be so easy to keep returning to my own vomit. Like an ignorant animal, I deluded myself into thinking the years of sins were telescoped into only a few days and were rare events.
I was surprised to learn how quickly technological advances had telescoped in molecular biology. I was even more alarmed to realize how the frequency of my sins that were usually separated by months was reduced to minutes and a continual presence.
Thanks be to God that He brought me to my knees in sobbing confession and repentance to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He brought me out of my drunken stupor to, once again, experience the sobering Truth of His love and the clear focus of His grace and mercy.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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