By Grace Through Faith

One thing I have learned in Ghana is that time is not as big of a deal as we make it out to be in the United States. Back home, we are always trying to get everything done in a day, trying to rush through tasks and do the bare minimum. Trying to go through the motions and tick everything off of the checklist.

However, in Ghana, people are so focused on relationships rather than tasks. People allow others space and time to share thoughts and ideas. They also allow them the time to sit in silence and think too. It’s mainly a form of respect, but it’s also just a way of life.

God created us to live in a community with one another. He created us to love one another. I think a major way to show love to someone is to give them your time of day. To be intentional and fully give someone your undivided attention. Listen to them. Learn from them. Grow with them in this wild and messy life.

I think we try to respect people by making time for everyone. Fitting everyone in the schedule. However, wouldn’t it be better to do excellent jobs in a week rather than average jobs in a day. Shouldn’t we be intentional with how we manage our time in a way that is beneficial for the well-being of everyone?

I remember back to times where I just tried to get the bare minimum of information because I needed to check it off the list and be done. But I missed out on the opportunity to ask deeper questions. To really get to know someone. To really understand what that person might be going through or what was truly on their mind.

I get that time is important for structure. But it is also important for relationships and community. I think with COVID we have seen how difficult it can be to form relationships over phone/text instead of in person. Or how challenging it is to take classes online rather than in person. I think this is just another personal and relational thing.

The Bible talks a lot about Jesus’ time on Earth. It talks about the way He healed those around Him. The way He spoke to others. The way He spent His time with His close friends. Yet, it does not share much about the timing of His life. It doesn’t say that He only spoke to the women at the well for 15 minutes because He was late on meeting someone else.

Jesus was intentional and patient with those around Him. He gives us all the time in the day to speak with Him. He listens to us even when He already knows what we will tell Him. He gives us space to think. He gives us time to learn on our own, even though He wants us to learn with Him. All because He loves us.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:25-34

God created the earth in a timely manner. He didn’t just do it all in a day to say, “okay done”. He was intentional about creating the earth. The same way He is intentional about taking care of His creation. He takes care of the plants, the animals, and us. If we are to love others well, we need to be intentional in taking care of His creation too.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:8-9

The Lord is patient with us. He wants it all to be done in His timing, and sometimes, things take a lot of time. And that’s okay.

It’s important to make the most of every opportunity. Think about when you plan a trip. You want to do a bunch of different things, like visit the beach, go shopping, eat good food, etc. Well, that all takes time and planning. Yet, when we meet someone, we just ask the basics to be nice.

But what if we dove deeper into all the different aspects. “How is your family doing? How is your job going? What did you do over the weekend?”

I feel like to some degree we are hurting people by not giving them enough time or rushing them. And I get not enough time is in a day but there will never be enough time in a day. The same way that I am not fulfilled by any amount of money. There will always be some flaw cause that’s just life. It’s flawed.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. – Ephesians 5:15-17

We don’t know when our last day will be on Earth. We don’t know what the future holds. We don’t know the last time we might see someone.

I don’t know about you, but I want to spend my life intentionally listening, learning, and speaking with others. I want people to feel cared for because they are. I want people to feel important because they are. I want people to feel loved because they are. I want people to see Jesus through me.

And no. I won’t be perfect at it. I will still fall short, but I can live and make the most out of every opportunity for His glory.

With love,

Claire