Lenten Devotional – March 19, 2023

Sunday, March 19, 2023
How to Inhabit Time by James K.A. Smith
Lenten Devotional by Mike Olsen
Experiencing Spiritual Time

Spoiler Alert!  We have it on good authority that God does not wear an Apple watch.  (2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4) We, of course, do have a “time schedule.” First – we are mortal, “Time and tide wait for no man.”  And then there is soccer practice, the prescription I should have picked up at the pharmacy two days ago, the car needs an oil change, and, and, and.  As the familiar hymn says, “Where cross the crowded paths of life.” (LBW 719)

But as Christians we need to remember that we are created and live in “God’s time.”  James K.A. Smith in his book How to Inhabit Time calls our alternative “spiritual timekeeping.”  God created the heavens and the earth – and us and will carry us to the glorious culmination of his creation.  Smith counsels that, yes, we are “conditioned by time” (quoting St. Augustine), but as written in John 16:13, when the Holy Spirit comes to us, we will be guided into “all truth,” – timeless truth. 

The 40 Days of Lent invites us to step outside of “our time” and into “spiritual time” – God’s time.  Our Apple watch still reminds us we have to get the kids to that soccer game, but . . . .

As that familiar hymn prompts us:
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Text: William D. Longstaff – 1822-1894
Tune: George C. Stebbins – 1846-1945