“Time Is of the Essence”

My husband Reen’s career in the past was marketing and real estate, later coupled with a passion for writing. Due to the sudden post-pandemic demand for outstanding online writing, he is taking his last 10 years in the writing field to transition into a new career- professional content writer. This is someone who writes outstanding custom marketing content (emails, web copy, white papers, curriculum, video scripts, etc.) written to promote companies and organizations on the internet. (Check out his online profile at http://www.reenwaterman.com in case you know someone can use his services.)

I tell you this to explain that as we discuss “time” this month, I became intrigued by the phrase, “time is of the essence.” I began to wonder where that familiar phrase came from and what is really meant.

Commonly seen in construction contracts, this phrase came from “the greatest construction project ever achieved in the United States: the transcontinental railroad. The project was deemed ‘impossible’ at the time yet several larger-than -life individuals bet their personal fortunes that it could be done,” writes Bill Papoon in his 2017 article on the subject.

In the building of the railroad, black powder was essential to explode through rock and up to 300 kegs per day was necessary. It was not economical. When questioning this fact, workers were told that, “time, not money, was of the essence.”

This project actually changed our perception of time in America. Papoon continues, “Prior to its construction, local communities set their own time. But the railroad companies needed a “standard time” in order to publish schedules. Thus, the United States was split into four time zones.”

“Time, not money, was of the essence.” It’s interesting that the pandemic forced us to re-evaluate our use of time, changing our perception of time. While “staying busy” and acquiring money sometimes seemed a god in American life prior to the pandemic, we quickly learned that time with family, friends, and people we care about is a far more valuable commodity than money. Recently, a focus group of people surveyed reported they would turn down a $30,000 raise to continue working from home. Time and how we use it matters.

As my husband evaluated his time, he realized that there is nothing he is more passionate about or gifted in than writing. As I said to him, “If not now, then when?” will he move into the field where his passion lies. As we are told in the Bible,

“Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
(Psalm 90:10-12)

As you evaluate the use of your time, recognizing life is fleeting and “time is of the essence” unable to be recaptured or re-invested, how will you spend your time?