The Timelessness of Help: A Reflection on Life, Death, and the Flight of Time

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Time Crier Series Part 2

A man once died, and as the custom demanded, his friends and family gathered to witness his burial. But something unexpected happened that day. One by one, his acquaintances stepped forward to share stories—not of what they had done for him in life, but of what they had come to do for him in death.

One said, “Before this man died, he came to me seeking my help. Now that he’s gone, I have come to help him by digging the floor for his grave.” Another added, “He once came to me for money. Now, I’ve decided to pay for his coffin.” A third said, “He asked me for clothing. Now, I’ve come to provide the clothes needed for his burial.” Yet another shared, “He sought my help for his family’s needs. Now, I’ve come to weep with them.” Finally, one admitted, “He came to me needing someone to talk to. I’ve come today to say goodbye."

 And so it went, each person offering what they could have given in life—after the man was gone. This poignant scene reveals a sobering truth about the nature of time and human relationships. It underscores a reality we often overlook help delayed is help denied. The value of what we can offer resides not in good intentions for tomorrow but in the actions we take today. 

This story is not just about missed opportunities, it’s about the fleeting nature of time and the irrevocable consequences of delay. The help that could have supported a living man is rendered meaningless to his lifeless body.

The kindness, generosity, and care that could have sustained his family or eased his burdens now serve only as hollow gestures to soothe the consciences of those left behind. This is the faith of timeless help: the understanding that our actions are only as impactful as the moment in which they are rendered.

 As humans, we often fall prey to procrastination, telling ourselves, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “I’ll help when I have more time,” or “They’ll be fine without me for now.” But time is not ours to command. The tomorrow we rely on is as uncertain as the wind. In delaying our acts of kindness, we gamble with the one thing we cannot control: the flight of time.

The man in this story serves as a mirror reflecting our own tendencies. How often do we postpone reaching out to a friend in need, offering encouragement, or lending a hand to someone struggling? How often do we choose convenience over compassion, only to regret it when the moment has passed?

 Time waits for no one. It is relentless, moving forward with or without our cooperation. The value of our actions is tied to the present, the living moment. When the help seeker is gone, so too is the purpose of the help. This is why the ancient wisdom still rings true: “Say not to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I will give it to you,’ when you already have it with you.”  Proverbs 3:28.

The ability to act, to give, to support, and to love exists only in the now.  The story of the man and his acquaintances is not just a cautionary tale—it is a call to action. It urges us to be mindful of the needs around us and to respond without hesitation. It reminds us that our lives are interconnected, and the help we offer today could be the lifeline someone desperately needs.

In the end, the race against time is not about winning or losing, it’s about making the most of the time we have. It’s about ensuring that our actions leave a legacy of love, kindness, and generosity that outlives us. Let us not wait for death to remind us of what we could have done in life. Let us act now, for the moment we know is the only moment we truly have.

Inspired by Titus Ogunyemi's book:

Time Crier: The Gift of Life Listen to this article on YouTube