In college, I sat down every morning and planned my day in hour-long increments. In addition to my responsibilities as a student, I was a member of a sorority and a volunteer leader for a parachurch ministry. Occasionally, I popped into practices for the women’s lacrosse club or filled in during a game. Most days, my “responsibilities” made me feel genuinely happy. But the pace was relentless. I started breaking my daily schedule into 15-minute increments to ensure I had time to shower and eat.
Looking back, I see my younger self racing around, trying to convince the world that she was important. Her little 15-minute-by-15-minute schedules were proof: she was going places. Now, I am a wife, mother, and a sometimes-writer. I often see that girl in the mirror—the same one who feels she can’t afford to waste a moment, so she lets no one down, most of all, herself.
But God is trying to teach me that my time is not my own. Leviticus 23 outlines the rhythms of life for Israelites. And when I first read the chapter, three things jumped off the page. First, God makes specific, clear, and practical demands on people’s time and resources. Second, these demands inspire an adverse reaction in me that I like to call “obligation creep”—that feeling I get when my commitments outweigh my desire or ability to keep them. Third, the chapter shows me that rituals matter.
When we race through life, jumping from minute to minute, hour to hour, it’s easy to forget that God is omnipresent, above time. Our days are not our own. Leviticus 23 reminds me of this same reality. Our days are not ours to maximize, but reminders of God who is over it all. This change in perception has the power to lift the clouds of resentment and fear off of my shoulders. With this mindset, I can see intentional rest, unplanned interruptions, personal setbacks, and unforeseen diagnoses not as delays, but as God’s goodness.
I remember a time, years ago, when nothing was open on Sundays except a few gas stations and drugstores. And no sports activities were scheduled on Sundays. I’m sure that’s hard for the younger generation to fathom. But Sundays were set aside for church and family time. It is just one way our Christian culture has gradually slid into a secular one. So I am reminded of the importance of being a light in this dark world and using the time God has given me in ways that will glorify Him and draw others to Him.
Dear Sharon, Jersey Girl, praying for comfort and peace today and the days to come. Jennifer Loves Jesus, thank you for that beautiful prayer this morning. Blessings sisters.
Again I am falling in love with the book of Leviticus. The theme of all these feasts is gratitude! The debt of gratitude is all the debt we can pay. Gratitude that death passes us over, gratitude for deliverance, gratitude for provision, gratitude for God’s faithful love and that Christ is coming back for us, gratitude for the forgiveness of sins and not only forgiveness but that God remembers them no more, gratitude that he shelters as we walk through this life. When it all comes down it’s all about gratitude for Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world and the bread of life. We are to keep our light burning and shining just as Aaron had to keep the light burning in the tabernacle. The only way we can do this is to spend time with God, it is our first priority.
“This change in perception has the power to lift the clouds of resentment and fear off of my shoulders.” This was a powerful statement to read this morning. I like routines and find I can resent the thing/person who brings change to my perceived order. How can I ever carry love for someone while actively resenting them (or their intrusion on “my” time. God has a beautiful way of convicting my heart.
I fully relate to that “college girl” she was referring to in the commentary… and how much that girl followed me into adulthood, parenthood, occupationally, etc. Part of it is personality- I like being challenged and I enjoy activity. The problem comes when I don’t balance those things out. I joke that I then have a Personality Disorder… I’ve taken the parts of me that God individualized for me and instead of using them for His glory, I use them for my own sense of self worth and completely disorder what was meant to be good. Being back in school for seminary is definitely bringing this out in me in full force. The demands are unbelievably high and it’s on top of having 3 young children and still trying to work part time and leading Bible study and staying on PTO board for my older kid’s elementary school and… you name it. I struggle because I feel purpose in all of those roles and therefore am finding myself with no margin. If one disruption occurs (car problem, sick child, slight schedule change) it ALL falls apart.
I’ve decided I’m going to start a “rhythm of fasting”- choosing something that 1-2 days each week I fast/practice “self denial” with and use that practice as a reminder of the goodness of my God and that a healthy relationship with Him is one where I continuously recognize my dependency on Him.
Amen Katie. Just yes!
Time is spent. Money is spent. What is my return on investment? There are some apps that help manage every dollar for budgeting and financial goals. I have never been able to balance one out because I felt the need to leave some money free and unbudgeted. Silly comparison here after reading Leviticus, but it makes sense to me this morning. If my time is not managed and intentional, too many moments go unspent, or spent unwisely. Each moment I pass through leads to the one I am standing in now. Where do I want to be? With God. At peace. Content. Yes, that is where I long to be. If I am not, what can I do to attain this wealth and wisdom with God? Time spent invested on Him, His ways, and following His commands. The rythymns of remembrance, sabbath rest, celebrations and festivals, all woven throughout the year as budgeted time on purpose. I feel more at peace in obedience to God than anything this world provides. It took me some learning the hard way, but I am learning. And as I learn more from the scriptures, spending time listening to the ways God spoke to the ancient Isrealites, I see the intense purpose of love for His people. As I consider how I can honor God and love Him more with my time, I am challenged to be more intentional with my free and unbudgeted time. Every minute is His anyway, so I want to spend it with Him and for Him above all. Father God, Thank You for Your presence. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for teaching me gently. Thank You for the grace. Thank You for the strength to bear hard things. Thank You for the rythyms of remembrance of who You are and Whose I am. Thank You for Jesus who came to fulfill the laws and ritual requirements. Help me weave the practices of honoring You as You would have me do here and now. Show me the ways I am lacking, and help me step into Your will more fully day after day. I love You Lord. Amen.
Amen! Love your analysis.
Yes Churchmouse, nailed it!
I agree that rituals, rules, and schedules are important to keep you diligent and on track, and to set aside rest, but we also must know that God sent Jesus to redeem us and set forth a new way. We can really get comfortable in routine and it becomes mundane, and we can recite from memory while thinking about our to do list! We must learn to strike a balance to uphold a reverence to God and his almighty sovereignty and glory, yet know he us our friend that we can access anytime we want!
Have a great day She’s!