Those Who Are Always Late

# People Who Are Always Late

In our daily lives and appointments, we sometimes encounter people who are "always late" and wonder why. While there may be no valid excuse for consistently being late, according to psychologists, there are several causes that lead to this condition. First is "time blindness," as explained by Chivonna Childs, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic. Childs says, "Often people don't arrive on time because they think, 'Oh, let me start the dishwasher, let me check this, I can do one more thing.' We call this time blindness, when we think we have more time than we actually do." She explains that "time blindness" can be related to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD.

Additionally, in reality, people often underestimate the time needed to complete a task. This is the second condition that causes many people to be frequently late. Some people underestimate much more than others, which leads to them always being late. Even when we understand why we're always late, the important thing is still to try to overcome it. Childs explains, "Over time, this can put stress on your relationships and even lead to losing some of those relationships." Psychologist Pauline Wallin shares: "When you promise someone that you will be at a location at a certain time, you are signing a contract. But if a person is constantly late, it will damage trust not just in that moment but usually throughout the entire relationship."(1)

Whatever the cause may be, the habit of being late to appointments needs to be corrected. We must develop the habit of being on time to maintain our credibility and preserve good relationships. Appointments are like an informal contract, where both parties uphold the word of "trust" with each other. Being on time is also a way of showing mutual respect. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).

Moreover, God is the One who gives us time and appoints a schedule for everything in our lives: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We must treasure time, carefully arrange our schedules for each appointment and task, and carry out our plans according to God's will. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Ephesians 5:15-17).

In contrast to the "habit of being late" is "punctuality"—a good virtue that every Christian should possess. In a broader sense, punctuality is the practice of adhering to time and scheduled appointments without unnecessary delay. The Bible emphasizes order, faithfulness, and diligence—qualities closely related to punctuality. Although the Bible does not directly use the word "punctuality," its basic principles emphasize the importance of good time management and completing responsibilities in a timely manner. Punctuality reflects reverence toward God and respect for others. By fulfilling duties punctually, believers demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness: "Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6). Just as the early church demonstrated devoted perseverance, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42), being faithful in worshipping God regularly and on time shows the character and discipline God desires to see in His people.(2)

Our God is One who is perfectly punctual, faithful, and keeps His promises completely. "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship" (Galatians 4:4-5); "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). God always acts at exactly the right time according to His perfect plan. Therefore, we must trust completely in the timing God has ordained for everything in our lives, and we must live valuing time and using it for God's kingdom: "Make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16); "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity" (Colossians 4:5). Thank God for giving us precious time to live joyfully and use it fruitfully for His house. May we ask the Holy Spirit to help us use time most effectively for God's work, to spend time reading, meditating, and obeying, so that God's Name may be glorified and proclaimed to all people! Amen!

*The time God has given us,* *Must always understand the Father's will each day,* *Think of the reward to come,* *Live as God's Word reveals to us,* *Intimate fellowship with the Father,* *Prioritize God's work, earthly things follow,* *Time spent together in unity,* *Diligence brings forth fruit to Father's House!*

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# Passion Fruit Gone Wild

In Vietnam, the passion fruit vine is also called: Lac Tien, Nhan Long, Dây Bầu Đường, Tây Phiên Liên; scientific name: Passiflora foetida. It is a common wild plant, often growing wild in hedges and thickets, but nowadays is commonly harvested or cultivated for medicinal use. Passion fruit is a climbing vine with a twisted stem covered with fine hairs. Its leaves are divided into 3-5 lobes; flowers are white or pale purple. The fruit is round; when unripe it is green, when ripe it is yellow, and on the outside it is covered by a layer of net-like membrane that looks like a "cage." The young shoots of passion fruit can be eaten as boiled vegetables, stir-fried, or made into soup. Ripe fruit is edible and has a sweet taste. Additionally, passion fruit is used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine to help calm the spirit, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support treatment of cardiovascular diseases thanks to its components such as alkaloids and flavonoids.

Perhaps because the passion fruit's characteristic as a climbing vine spreads and spreads wildly and is hard to eradicate completely, Bible translators have used the image of "passion fruit run wild" to symbolize the consequences of useless words, false teachings that do not accord with God's Word. However, in ancient language, Greek, this word "passion fruit run wild" is not the passion fruit plant as we know it. In Greek-Roman medicine, this word (γάγγραινα - gangrene) was used to describe a festering sore, quietly gnawing away at healthy cells, until it resulted in the need to amputate a limb or caused death, which we commonly know as cancer. Physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen warned of its stealthy nature, its rapid spread, its putrid smell, and ultimately how it caused the patient to die. Therefore, first-century readers upon hearing this word typically imagined the image of continuous decay, a spreading disease, a threatening and destructive ailment that ravaged the entire body.(1)

In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul used this image to point out two individuals whose "words spread like gangrene": Hymenaeus and Philetus, "who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some" (2 Timothy 2:17-18). The apostle Paul uses this term only once in his letters to describe the damage of false doctrines occurring in the church at Ephesus. The use of this term only once does not diminish its importance; rather, this very uniqueness makes it even more pointed and urgent in its warning. The apostle Paul chose the most vivid and imaginative medical term in his vocabulary to warn Timothy of the urgency of taking definitive and decisive pastoral action to prevent misleading words and false doctrines from corrupting believers' faith.

The apostle Paul's advice to Timothy helps us recognize we must be vigilant about the power of words—they can destroy an entire life, lead people astray in faith, and ultimately lead to death. Physical death is something everyone must experience, but the death of the soul is the most terrible disaster for us human beings! To avoid the death of the soul, we must believe in and accept Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of our souls. He is the only Way to eternal life—the blessed and glorious Kingdom of Heaven! Therefore, each of us must not only guard our own soul from being led astray, but also help our neighbors stand firm in faith in God.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ must be careful about their words and speak in ways that benefit those who hear. We are called to be disciples sharing the Gospel, bringing

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