The building that now houses the news-paper shop in Waterloo Place is a familiar enough landmark - especially to those who walk over the Friar's Bridge or Black Bridge towards the city centre of Inverness. It has one peculiar feature that might escape the eye; but it is worth a moment's pause and consideration.
Built into the gable end is a stone, with the inscription —
WORKING WHILE
IT IS DAY: THE
NIGHT COMETH
WHEN NO MAN
CAN WORK.
Who the original owners or builders of the house were, we don't know; but there is no escaping the force of the words engraved on the stone.
John chapter 9 — our Lord Jesus Christ said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work." There is little doubt it was this verse of scripture that was in the mind of the people who erected the building and placed the plaque in the wall. It is a straightforward sentiment, and a truth that is basic on the pages of the Word of God.
What it is doing is reminding us of the fact that there are certain times for doing certain things. In those days in which our Saviour lived on earth, all the work in the fields was carried out during the day-light hours. When the night came, then no more work could be performed. The farmer had to be "diligent," therefore, in making the most of the time available to him.
No sentiment, or fact, could be more clear. The Bible tells us that there is "a time to every purpose under heaven." And we all know that to miss the time with regards to some things can have dire consequences in the course of our lives.
We all know of things we ought to have done at a certain time, or on a certain day. Because we failed to do so, an opportunity slipped away and was lost. That can apply in fairly unimportant things. it can also apply in things very important and crucial.
There is no issue more important, and more crucial, than the issue of our eternal well-being before God. One of the most searching questions ever asked is,"Where will you spend eternity?" The Bible makes it clear that we will spend eternity either with God, or apart from God. That depends on what we do with Jesus Christ while we are still in "time." God calls us to trust in Jesus Christ His Son for the everlasting salvation of our souls, and to live in this world in the light of that salvation.
Because it is something that can only be done IN TIME, the Bible exhorts us to believe in Christ, "While it is still called TODAY! Just as "the night cometh when no man can work," so eternity comes, when no one can "believe" to the salvation of their souls. The salvation of our souls is something that can only be seen to IN TIME, not in eternity; then it is too late. That is why the Bible Says, "TO-DAY, if you will hear God's voice, harden not your heart."
Next time you walk down Waterloo Place, pause for a moment or two, and look up. Who knows? by God's grace you might be thankful for the rest of your days in time, and eternity, that the truth of those words became engraved on your heart as well as on that gable end.