12 February 2009

Time and Space

There are two primary ways the church teaches us to engage God: time and space. We must pay attention to time for it is the most precious gift we can give to God and to others. It is a gift that far outweighs any dollar amount (despite the consumerist notion that "time is money"). Equally important is space. We are called to willingly create space for God in the midst of our crowded schedules.

Time. This is a sensitive subject in our rat-race, gotta-do-one-more-thing culture. We feel a sense of pride when we look at our planners/palm pilots and see "our time" filled up. We feel important. We feel as if we matter. We feel full of purpose. The rub comes in our spiritual assessment of things . . . that is, after running (for God on our best days) we suddenly realize we ceased to pause for the things that ultimately matter, the lasting things.


Space. Though often ignored, space is as important as time. Especially in suburbia where "bigger is better." After all, we want bigger houses, cars, backyards, HD screens, and engagement rings. We may not always know what we want but we know we want it Super-Sized. The downside, of course, of living in a McDonaldized World is that we crowd out room for God's surprises and interruptions.

While technology promises to make life better so that we can have more time and space for others, we slowly become slaves to the very things that are supposed to set us free. We begin to stack bricks for the vacation home, ESPN, Apple, the Shopping Network, The Gap, American Idol, and e-mail (dare I say blogging?).

God wants to meet us in particular moments (time) and particular places (space). But he never forces himself upon us. Like a patient lover, he waits . . . and waits . . . and waits. He waits for us to get serious about how we spend our time and where we spend our space.

Last night, we held a contemplative prayer service at Rochester Church. It was filled with prayers, readings, silence, confession, worship, more silence, repentance, and listening. It was holy because we gave up "our" time and "our" space to hear from the One who spoke creation into being.

6 comments:

Josh Ross said...

I am trying to get serious about time and space in my own life. There is a rhythm in life and God is inviting us to join him in this dance. However, when it comes to rhythm, we act as if we are inviting God to a dance...instead...God is inviting us. You use the language of a lover in your post and I think you are right on.

As a minister, I am diligently seeking God with how we can create time and space for our people at SVC. There is a communal rhythm that we are attempting to live into.

phil said...

“…we slowly become slaves…we begin to stack bricks…” Intentional Exodus language Josh?

It is true though; are we not conforming to bound brick layers as build our Empire with the things you mentioned.

This was a great post, and a great reminder of how we should prioritize; now the trick is, once being reminded… actually implementing.

Josh Graves said...

I've noticed I have to be intentional...otherwise things get out of control. You are right Josh.

Phil,

I think Exodus language works really well. What do you think?

phil said...

I think the Exodus language works really well… So, if we are without the TV., the computer, the emails, the shopping, or anything else that can enslave us and we begin to feel the withdraws; would this be equivalent to the “wanting-to-back-where-we-had-meat syndrome?”

Josh Graves said...

Hmmm. If we read that story as Our story, I think so. But even deeper than that is where we place our identity. That's when we really get to the heart of the Exodus narrative.

1. Nation or God
2. Bricks or Vocation
3. Comfort of predictability (even if it's slavery) or wandering with God's people.
4. Food from Empire or food from God.

phil said...

5. Believing we are delivered from a god who is sometimes absent (therefore we must make idols)

...or believing we have been delivered from a God who is always pursuing and engaging no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.