Time

Between the morning coffee run and rushing up a flight of stairs to another church meeting for another event, I realized that we have become a busy people— a busy Christianity. Between the meetings to attend, issues to debate, donors to ‘make face’ with, programs to implement, and services to lead, there is little time left in the day for being a Christian. We have become so accustomed to the overbooked-church-schedule that a day with no more than two programs looks malnourished and in desperate need of an over promoted event. There is the rare occasion that we find ourselves with more hours than we have use for; but for the most part, we feel flung through space and time—distracted and unable to notice the details of life—or perhaps even the voice of God. We move and act so quickly that we forget to question whether what we are doing and saying is worth doing and saying. Rather than pause to question the cookbook formula for a perfect ministry, we accept our interpretation of the scriptures as an accurate translation of the Gospels.

We claim that our mission is not to conform to the pattern of this world, but our addiction to business seems to fall outside this philosophy. We have convinced ourselves that the size of our calendar correlates to our worth of self and calling. And so, our lives and ministry become rewarded with the rewards of business.

Thomas Merton noted that we “…have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known to us.” If it is the Trinity we seek, if it is the love of Christ we seek, than our use of time must reflect these aspirations. We must ask ourselves whether we truly give the Father our time, or if it is rather our insecurities that consume our attentions? Perhaps it can even be said that our ministries have become a reflection, not of God’s direction, but of our own need to climb the ranks of church position and reputation. Before scheduling an event, a staff meeting, or even another coffee date, ask yourself whether you are scheduling the arrangement for the sake of mankind or for the sake of one’s own amour-propre.

This week take a moment to pause and reflect on the ways in which your time is used, the ways your church uses its time, and the ways in which time is valued by yourself, your church’s staff, and by the congregation. We say constantly that time is precious; and so, we must treat it as such.

Let there be time to be Christian.

Grace and peace