There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1
“The most important aspects of our lives cannot be rushed. We cannot love, think, eat, laugh, or pray in a hurry…When we are in a hurry – which comes from overextension – we find ourselves unable to live with awareness and kindness.”
James Bryan Smith in The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows (Downers Grove: IVP, 2010) 180.
Jenni and I flew to California yesterday for a few days of rest and to see our daughter, Sophie, perform in the Spring musical at San Diego Christian College. We also get to spend time with Jenni’s parents, our niece and her husband, and Sophie’s boyfriend. Special occasions like these are gifts from God (speaking of gifts from God, last night’s sunset in La Jolla, pictured above, was amazing).
Our lives are full, that’s for sure, but we try to avoid functioning “in a hurry” because as Smith puts it, in that condition we are “unable to live with awareness and kindness.” We must have margin in our lives. The parable of the priest, the Levite, and the good Samaritan is a great example of this (Luke 10:25-37). Two appear in a hurry and one had space to be generous.
Are you in a hurry? Part of fasting in Lent is making margin for that which is best. Perhaps assess your schedule during this season so that after Easter – though life may be full – you will have time for loving, thinking, eating, laughing, praying, and giving.