Time Is Love

 

"We love each other and cherish the fellowship of God's people."

Our usage of time reflects our priorities. The person who spends hours checking out of reality via apps on his smartphone prioritizes self-indulging entertainment. The person whose calendar is full of her child's activities prioritizes her child's socialization. The person who can't seem to get away from his office prioritizes money, worldly approval, personal success, or all of the above.

What does it say when a person's schedule is consumed by fellowship with members of his local church? It's unlikely this could mean anything negative. Certainly there are "hidden reefs" in the church (Jude 12), but aside from that, the person who spends much time with God's people is one who cares about what God cares about.

The Bible encourages us to "attain to the unity of the faith" (Eph 4:13), to "grow up" together (v. 15), "being fitted and held together" while we build up ourselves in love (v. 16). It is important to observe these commands and it is important to note that this must happen in-person and in time. These are not solo activities that can be accomplished intangibly. 

Considering our creaturely limitations, the only way the redeemed can fulfill the commands to attain to the unity, grow up, and build each other up is to meet--and to meet in time and space. This, of course, is a sacrifice. Many, many activities demand our time and space. We're often asked to be somewhere at a certain time. Sometimes, we wish we could be at multiple somewheres at the same time. But we're locked-in to space and time; therefore, we must prioritize (steward) this existence well. This core value of ours demands a tangible response.

Love means sacrifice and love means service. When we love the people of God and cherish their fellowship, it will show itself by the clock and the calendar.