In one of our staff meetings we began discussing whether punctuality was just personality/ cultural deal or whether it was a Biblical principle. I opened up the debate on whether it was important on facebook and here are some of the responses. Some of my friends, who aren't particularly renowned for timekeeping, said, that although they felt it was important they found it hard. Whether that was due to a chaotic life or a 'very poor sense of time passing or how long things take', they still tried their best to be on time but never seemed to manage it. Other people, who are (perhaps obsessively) punctual, said it was how they were bought up, or because of a perfectionist streak. But Deb wrote that the main reason for punctuality was due to respecting one another.
Respect
1 Peter 2:17 tells us that we need to respect everyone. Punctuality says that you value the other person's time and this shows respect towards them. Arriving late gives suggests you think that the other person has nothing better to do than to wait for you.
Time wasting
Ephesians 5:15-20 talks about the proper use of time, saying that we need to make the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil. If you constantly arrive late, you're hardly making the most of it. (Okay, so my use of this passage is a little tenuous, but it sort of does the job.)
Integrity
If you have told me you will be there by a certain time, you should be there at that time. You need to be able to keep your word. If you have said "yes", it means "yes". Otherwise, say no (Matthew 5:37).
Compassion
But for those of us who are punctual, we have a duty to be nice to those who aren't. Ephesians 4:32 tells us that we need to forgive and be compassionate.
I'll just leave you with this quote from Richard Craycroft:
"The main problem with punctuality is that there is rarely anyone there to appreciate it."
Quick Questions
- Are you usually punctual or late?
- Does tardiness in other people annoy you?
1. I'm usually punctual, though unfortunately I've been slipping a bit on this in recent years. I was raised to be early, always.
ReplyDelete2. It only bothers me if the other person is super-duper late, like more than 15 minutes or so.
The thing that really bothers me is when events don't start on time. That drives me nuts. The Christian group I was in during my undergrad years had a chronic starting-late problem.