The Gathering

Today we can travel between different locations faster than ever before, whizzing along in our cars. Journeys that once took weeks, months, even years, can now be covered in hours. Indeed, it takes me four hours to reach Istanbul from London. When I arose this morning I did not have to go out of my house to draw water for the day. In mid-winter I do not need to venture outdoors for fuel. At night there is no running around getting lamps lit. I arrive at work just after eight and leave again just after four. I have more time on my hands than the generations of the previous millennium, and yet I complain that I do not have enough time to do everything I need to do. I do not have children who eat up my time as they demand my attention. I do not need to struggle for anything. And so what will be my excuse before my Lord on that awesome Day when I will complain that I tarried on the earth for but a matter of hours, for that will be as it seemed on a day lasting fifty-thousand years? That the internet evaporated my evenings? That I was too busy to seek knowledge? My life is ease and I have no excuse.