Ever hear someone say at work, “I feel like I spend more time here than I do with my own family.” Sometimes we need too; sometimes we choose too. The increase in everyday essentials has led to an increased need to put in the hours at work in order to make ends meet. Maybe those ends are food, clothing, and shelter for you and your family.
Could we cut things out? Nicer car, clothes, better phone, faster internet, better coffee, more streaming services. Maybe work becomes more central to our lives then need be. Consumerism obsession is not my main point, but always worth thinking about as it ties into to the larger picture of how we center and prioritize aspects of our lives.
If you’re like most, we get a few days off each week if that. Ever spend a weekend watching too much college football on Saturday, only to then tune in all day Sunday to the NFL? Ever scroll through Netflix, with its seemingly endless content, only to stop and start numerous shows because nothing seems to peek your interest? Or if it did, by the end of a 4-5 hour marathon, a feeling of “that was an unproductive day i’ll never get back” takes hold. Maybe certain shows get to a point where any “free time” is used in order to watch a 12 season show start to finish. Life becomes centered around that show.
If we were to write out our day for a week, or a month, might we think of how we spend our time differently? Ever go to, or listen to a financial expert? Would we tell them we can barely make ends meet and have already cut out all we can? Then they tell us “how about you go and write out everything you spend for a week, or a month and bring it into me.” Quickly we find out, wow, I waste a lot of money!
We could think about a number of things we center our lives around that seem necessary and productive, but if taken a second look at, oh how meaningless and futile they become.
Experiences can be good in moderation. But when combined as a whole, might these experiences displace our focus from the meaningful, essential, and vital parts of life? Instead we are left with, “I don’t have any time or free time.”
Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “and on this rock I will build my Church.” In Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit.” Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, writes 9 letters to Churches in his New Testament writings. The book of Revelation begins with Jesus instructing John to write to the seven Churches. I am still looking for the Bible verse that says, “yes, Church is important, but obviously not during football and golf season. Oh, new Netflix series, I mean Church will be there next week.” Maybe that verse will be in a revised edition.
Church is mentioned over a hundred times in Scripture (120 to be exact). Christ speaks of building “His Church.” I spent decades of my life thinking the Church is not important. “I will go when I feel like it.” When I feel I need to lift myself up into thinking I am a good person, I will make an appearance (in the back of the church of course). God and Church became my, “well, not much else to do.”
“Hey, I got amazing seats to the football game Sunday, 50 yard line! Let’s get down early and enjoy the experience.”
“I go to Church on Sunday, I will check the highlights later. Would love to see you at Church sometime, no reservation needed.”
10 years ago I would read that conversation and think to myself, “what are you thinking! 50 yard line football tickets!” Now, I can’t imagine not attending. No matter where I sit in church, it’s the best seat in the house. A seat in Christ’s Church; worshipping and praising my savior with a room full of family in Christ.
Where do we find the time?
Great thoughts. What do we do with all our time and money? What will we say someday when God asks us why He rarely if ever saw us in His house??
Great thoughts. What do we do with all our time and money? What will we say someday when God asks us why He rarely if ever saw us in His house??