What Time Is It?

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:02:09 -0500

I wrote a brief article today called "What Time Is It?" What shapes your sense of time and how is that shaping you?

You can read it here.

And, to explore more about what I'm talking about...here is a little resource I created. Check it out here.

What Time Is It?

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:12:34 -0500

Most of us go through life without thinking much about how our sense of time shapes our lives. While we glance hurriedly at our watches, check our PDAs, and glance at our calendars, we do not stop to ask ourselves how our sense of time is shaped.

Those of us who live in areas that actually witness the changing of the seasons know how much our lives are shaped by their change. Our sense of the coming seasons shapes almost every aspect of our daily lives: what we wear, what we buy, what we eat, how we budget our finances. The seasons even influence our language: we wax poetic about the seasons of life and marvel at how social relationships are shaped by such terms. Ever hear of a "May/December" relationship?

Our sense of time is also shaped by consumer economics. Hallmark has done as much as anyone to shape our plans as they remind us of established holidays and even help to create new ones. There is Christmas, Grandparents Day, Administrative Assistants Day, Boss's Day. Even those days that are "church-related" have been co-opted for economic ends.

Some of us are shaped by seasons of entertainment. There are the various seasons of sport, theater, and concerts.

Others of us find our lives structured by the school year and the various requirements of our children's lives. School starts. School ends. Girl Scout cookie sales.

These different ways of thinking about time, the seasons and the signficant days of the year profoundly shape our sense of who we are, what we are to do and with whom we are set to do it.

It seems to me that people who claim to be disciples of Jesus would do well to think deeply and differently about who and what shapes their sense of time and season and significance.

While there is no Biblical "requirement" there is plenty of precedent to work at allowing ourselves to be shaped by a sense of sacred time.

Our Jewish forefathers (and contemporaries) in faith certainly live(d) life according to a sacred schedule. Life was and is lived in keeping with a sacred rhythm.

The early church and their apostolic leaders certainly seemed to maintain schedules for prayer.

So how can we re-orient our lives as Christians to a more sacred rhythm? My choice for doing that is by following the Revised Common Lectionary. For me, especially as a pastor, there is tremendous value in doing so.

First, using the RCL, which notes the major church seasons and special days within the year, grounds me to particular scripture texts on a weekly basis that are in keeping with that season.

Second, using the RCL rescues me from gettting bogged down in my own personal interests. It invites me to get into scripture I might otherwise neglect. Using it opens up new ways of thinking about the story of God in Israel, Christ and the church.

Third, using the RCL puts me in company wih Christians around the world who are reading and contemplating the same texts I am on a weekly basis.

Fourth, using the RCL unifies me with my church as we explore the same aspects of God's story together.

Fifth, using the RCL faithfully helps me read through most of the Bible every three years.

However, as much as anything, using the RCL and following the church year helps to keep my mind on the things of God and helps to direct me away from the powerful pull of other people's selfish interest in me.

By allowing my sense of time and season and (holy)day to be shaped by the community of faith rather than by economics and power (i.e. markets, politics and culture), I am freed to contemplate that which is beautiful, good, and true.

For a helpful resource on the RCL, the seasons and days of the church year please go here.

James 24:7 - Time

What Time Is It?

What Time Is It?