That we 'get an extra hour' when the clocks go back at the end of October seems to me to be scant consolation for the fact that the evenings feel suddenly so much longer and the day so much shorter. And we are still nearly two months from the shortest day. I don't like it when we have to put the clocks back. Sometimes, though, we really wish we could put the clocks back for reasons other than the end of British Summer Time. Life passes by and you feel that sense of where has it gone and wish you could turn the dial the other way and get some of that time back again. You do or say something bad and regret it - and wish you could wind the clock back to have that moment again and do it differently. Tragedies occur, accidents happen and you suffer losses and sorrows, but there is no going back to before. Time marches inexorably on.

However, the greatest regret at our inability to wind the clock of life back awaits every person not saved from sin. It is a regret that will be so keenly felt on reaching the inevitable end of life. Then it will be too late to repent and believe in Jesus and too late to receive God's gift of eternal life. I can't imagine how awful the gnawing anguish will be and how painful the regret must be at the thought of having lived a whole life denying God, ignoring God, proudly refusing to come to Jesus Christ for salvation and then departing this life to find that not only is God absolutely there, but that He is angry at my sin and I have no Saviour. I must face the consequences alone. There will be be no turning the clock back, no second chance. Have a read of a parable of Jesus in Luke 16:19-31.

Now is the time to come to Jesus Christ. We are both warned and warmly invited,

As the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion' (Hebrews 3:7-8).

I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:16).