Time

What is time? To us it is the transition from one state to another, it is what enables us to see effects. It is a precious commodity that we value and don't like to waste.

What is time? To God time is nothing. He is everywhere at all times, all at once. He sees things through us in the moment He chooses to look.

So why do we value it so much, why do we not want to waste it. And what exactly is a waste of time?

When healing from an injury that had left me stuck indoors for months on end I started going out for walks with my camera. I was fortunate enough to live in a fairly rural area and had a couple of small nature reserves within walking distance. I spent many an hour in these places and often saw people passing through, although to me they often seemed in a bit of a hurry. During my time in these places I learnt to follow deer without spooking them, to sit patiently and quietly for long enough that wild rabbits grazed at my feet. I watch the seasons change, the flowers bloom, the trees grow. I loved watching spiders build their webs and the wonder of seeing nesting birds hatch their eggs.

Quite often I would talk to people that wandered past, and one thing thing that was a common theme was they would ask me why I was wasting my time in such a messy little bit of scrub land. Why was I wasting my time when there was nothing there. These people seemed surprised when I told them what was there, the wealth of flowers, and grasses, and insects, and birds and beasts that could be seen. They always re-iterated that they never saw anything, but when I asked them how long they spent there the most was 10 minutes. When I said I spent hours there, sitting quietly they again told me it was a waste of time.

I personally think it was time well spent Although at that time I did not believe in God, I was happy in myself and appreciated the beauty and specialness of what was in front of me. Given what I saw in these places, I am so glad I had these hours.

I have come to the conclusion that those always rushing around, always in a hurry to get to somewhere or something, those who think that they value their time so well are often the most time poor people I have come across. They have no time to waste, no time to pass, no time to share with friends or family. The important things pass them by without them noticing, the beauty of the world that He has gifted us sadly goes unseen.

There are those who, through no fault of their own, have little free time, mainly through having to work all hours for whatever reason. These are often the people who are willing to stop and talk to spend their time with you. It doesn't have to be about anything, in fact the less important or stressful the conversation the better. Talks on the weather, the landscape, the patterns we see in the clouds, gardens, and even fountain pens are all as good as anything else.

This is how to pass the time, without worry, or fear, or sadness, or sorry. Just time spent with a friend. It should be valued, not considered wasted. It gives you both a break from the world, a few peaceful moments together to share.

I do enjoy spending my time in these different ways, and for very different reasons. I value the time I have spent with friends, those moments where we talked about the inconsequential probably more than most of the others. And I still value my quite time out in the wilds, calmly waiting to see what wonders will come along.

The only thing that has changed in me is that I am never on a walk alone anymore.

What better way to "waste" time than to find a quiet spot and to spend time with God, and to admire the wonders that He shows to you, to give thanks for the the sun, the birds, the plants, the wind and the rain and the storms.