Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity talks about time being variable (in ways I don’t remotely understand). That’s as may be, but for sure on a subjective level time goes faster or slower depending on what is going on in our lives, and in our workplaces. Since we had to lay off almost half our staff at the end of last year, I’ve been trying to work through year-end accounting and reporting, taxes, regular monthly reporting, tracking of a whole slew of things that used to be done by other people, on top of what I was already doing. (Writing this blog somehow didn’t make it the top of the priorities!) There simply aren’t enough hours to get it done. I don’t get bored at least, except ironically when it all gets to be too much and then the days drag unbelievably. But time just gets frittered away so quickly!
Interestingly, the Bible seems to approach time completely differently from modern Western culture, particularly Anglo culture. (Hispanic culture seems to be less obsessed with time. I understand that while in English a clock runs, in Spanish a clock walks. That explains a lot!) It is a given that we have a limited span of time in which to realize God’s dream for us. But the sense of hurry, frustration, and time wasted on the one hand, and of boredom on the other, don’t really appear much if at all. Jesus had a massive workload, but never seemed in a hurry (think of his reaction when the disciples tried to stop the blind man from calling out, or when they tried to shoo away children). He understood the need for rest and refreshment, even though in short supply. He gave absolute priority to times of prayer. There was a rhythm to his life that was healthy and right.
How can we be unhurried in the midst of panic and chaos? How can we use time not as a limited resource that we must hold on to for dear life, but as a gift from God like any other that is to be spent wisely and generously in the service of God and His creation, especially other people? I guess it comes largely back to peace. When we are at peace, the world’s turmoil will affect us in compassion and concern, but will not interrupt our daily, weekly and yearly rhythms of life. Conversely it is when we observe these rhythms that we can live in peace. By rhythms, I mean lives that honor our commitments to work and family and community without neglecting daily time with God to set up our moment-by-moment walk with him, weekly times with God’s people and corporate worship, and annual vacations - times away from the daily routine for refreshment and renewal in ourselves and our relationships.
For me, in the midst of responsibilities that I find overwhelming, and workload that is quite simply impossible to stay up with, peace would be impossible without these rhythms. I started this article last week, but am finishing it during a break – Oakland A’s Spring Training in Phoenix. I can’t take a complete break – I have worked quite a bit while I’ve been here – and yet it has been possible to spend chunks of time with my wife, renewing our relationship, and with God, putting things into perspective. We’ve had quite a bit of bad news related to work in the past couple of days, but while I am focused on God’s plan, I can be relatively in peace (even while thinking through contingency plans such as what to do if/when my salary stops coming in for a while).
