I just had a handful of thoughts come together and connect, as I sat drinking my morning coffee. First, we are all limited in our time. At best, we will have 100 years of life. One third of that will be spent sleeping, so we are immediately cut down to 66 years of conscious living. Another 1/3 to 1/4 will be spent earning a living, and, in many cases, doing a job that we really do not find that interesting or fulfilling. Then there are the "must-do's" in life, things like: eating, bathrooms necessities, driving/commuting, waiting for various appointments.
This comes down to probably only a few hours a day when we have the choice to make as to how to use the time. In our day and age, in our culture, the mentality seems to be entertainment and comfort. We will use our time doing something that we find entertaining, relaxing, exciting. Pretty much we turn it into "me" time. Is this right? From all that we know about Scripture and the teaching of the church?
But I want to strongly emphasize, this is a matter of personal responsibility. This must not turn into a Pharisaical exercise. These are questions that we must ask ourselves and answer to ourselves, for ultimately, we will stand before God and give account for what we did with what we had (what he has given us).
You have to wonder. Are we living our lives in the very best way we can (ie loving God and loving neighbor)? Or are we justifying our various actions and activities so that we can be comfortable?
This comes down to probably only a few hours a day when we have the choice to make as to how to use the time. In our day and age, in our culture, the mentality seems to be entertainment and comfort. We will use our time doing something that we find entertaining, relaxing, exciting. Pretty much we turn it into "me" time. Is this right? From all that we know about Scripture and the teaching of the church?
But I want to strongly emphasize, this is a matter of personal responsibility. This must not turn into a Pharisaical exercise. These are questions that we must ask ourselves and answer to ourselves, for ultimately, we will stand before God and give account for what we did with what we had (what he has given us).
You have to wonder. Are we living our lives in the very best way we can (ie loving God and loving neighbor)? Or are we justifying our various actions and activities so that we can be comfortable?
If I spent 50 hours a week breaking rocks or something, I think I wouldn't feel too bad about wanting to spend a day on the couch at the end of the week, getting comfortable and recuperating. But that's only one hypothetical scenario, other people "veg out" as a lifestyle. As I read this, I recall the parallel messages of Colossians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:31 - some people spend their "me time" hiking, maybe reading, gardening, painting, etc. Two people could be spending their time doing the same activity, but one may be doing it to the glory of God and the other might not. Offhand, once our daily responsibilities are fulfilled, I'd say what we do with our free time is less important than the spirit in which we do it. I think it's that which shapes our souls, for which we will be assessed in the end. But I'm open to counterpoints.
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