SIMPLE40 - DAY 21 - Time is of the Essence
- Katie Donahue
- 12 hours ago
- 6 min read
To walk with Jesus is to walk with a slow, unhurried pace.
Hurry is the death of prayer and only impedes and spoils our work.
It never advances it.
~Walter Adams
(Spiritual Director to C.S. Lewis)
As we move into the third week of our journey, today we pause to reflect on the gift of time. Simplicity and time are deeply connected. When life becomes cluttered...physically, mentally, or spiritually...our time often feels scattered as well. But as we grow in simplicity, we begin to notice something beautiful: our time feels less rushed, less crowded, and more intentional.
And interestingly, the reverse is also true. When we become more attentive to how we spend our time, choosing what truly matters and letting go of what does not, life naturally begins to feel lighter and more simple.
Yet many of us struggle with time. It often feels like it is either moving too quickly or painfully slowly. When our schedules are full and we feel rushed, stress and anxiety can creep in. When we are waiting...for answers, healing, change, or resolution...we can become impatient or restless. But neither constant rushing nor restless waiting is the posture God desires for our hearts.
What if we began to see time differently?
Have you ever considered that time itself is sacred? Time did not exist before creation. It is something God intentionally brought into being, and He later sanctified it in the most profound way: by entering into it Himself through the Incarnation. Because time was created by God and ultimately belongs to Him, we do not control it, even though we often try. Instead, it is entrusted to us as a precious gift.
When we begin to see time this way, something shifts. Time is no longer an enemy we are constantly racing against. It becomes a gift we are invited to receive, honor, and use well. Simplicity helps us slow down enough to recognize that each moment, ordinary as it may seem, is a place where God can meet us.
Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen reflects beautifully on this mystery:
Time is holy. It has a religious significance because it has its origin in God's work of creation...Since God who is eternal and transcendent creates time himself, it must have something of eternity in it. It is true that this eternal dimension of time has been partially lost through the Fall. It becomes the mission of Jesus and each one of us to "redeem" time.~Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen
There is a quiet invitation in these words. Through Christ, time is no longer simply something that passes, it is something that can be redeemed. Each moment becomes an opportunity to draw closer to God, to love well, and to live with greater intention.
If you would like to explore this idea more deeply, Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen’s book Eternity in the Midst of Time offers a beautiful reflection on how eternity can be experienced even now. The closer we draw to the Lord, the more we begin to glimpse that reality in the midst of our ordinary days.
Today, take a moment to simply notice time.
Not to rush it.
Not to fight it.
But to receive it as the sacred gift that it is.
spiritual In his book Time for God, Jacques Philippe writes,
Time given to God is not time stolen from other people...But time is not always the real problem. The real problem is knowing what really matters in life.
Those words gently invite us to reconsider how we spend our time. Giving time to God is never wasted. In fact, it is often the very thing that brings clarity and peace to the rest of our day. During Lent, we are intentionally growing in relationship with Christ and learning to place Him at the center of our lives. When He becomes our starting point, everything else begins to fall into its proper place.
The beautiful thing is that drawing near to Christ does not require long or complicated practices. It can happen in the quiet, ordinary moments of the day, from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep at night.
One small habit I have trained my mind to practice is offering a short prayer of gratitude every time I notice a clock. Sometimes I simply say out loud, “Thank you, Lord, for this moment in time.” Other times it becomes a quiet interior prayer: “Here I am, Lord, what would you have me do next?” or just a simple, “Thank you, Jesus.”
This little practice has helped me pause, even briefly, and recognize time for what it truly is, a gift. Instead of letting moments slip by unnoticed, it becomes a way of gently turning my heart back toward God throughout the day.
You might try it today. The next time you glance at a clock, pause for just a second and offer a small prayer of gratitude. It is a simple way to remember the sacredness of the moment you are living right now.
self
Take time to start your morning with some sunshine hitting your eyes! Don't let the light of your phone screen be the first light your eyes see. There has been a lot of information coming out lately about the importance of early morning sun. Getting sunlight in your eyes first thing in the morning is absolutely vital to mental and physical health. It is perhaps the most important thing that any and all of us can and should do in order to promote metabolic well-being, promote the positive function of your hormone system, get your mental health steering in the right direction. ~Dr. Andrew Huberman click the link below to learn more... EARLY MORNING SUNLIGHT
service Time gives you the opportunity to serve God and others, to grow in knowledge and virtue, and to persevere in pursuing Him. You should not despair or try to rush through your day, because each moment holds infinite potential for grace and growth.
“Nunc coepi,” a Latin phrase that means “now I begin” was introduced yesterday. It is a beautiful reminder that every moment is a new opportunity to begin again with God. No matter how the day has gone so far...whether you have been distracted, rushed, impatient, or discouraged...you can always pause and begin again right where you are.
This perspective changes the way you serve. Instead of feeling pressure to do everything perfectly or accomplish great things, you simply respond faithfully to the moment in front of you. A kind word, a patient response, a helping hand, a quiet prayer for someone who is struggling; these small acts of love are ways you can redeem time and offer it back to God.
When you slow down interiorly, you become more attentive to the needs of those around you. You begin to notice the person who may need encouragement, the family member who needs your presence, or the stranger who could benefit from a simple smile.
So as you move into this weekend, consider how you might slow things down a bit. If not physically, then at least mentally. Resist the urge to rush through the moments of your day.
Instead, receive each moment as it comes and quietly say in your heart:
“Now I begin.”
Simply ask God how you might use this moment, this gift of time, to love and serve well.
simple recipe
This recipe is a family favorite all year, not just Fridays in Lent! You can use tilapia or any fresh, firm white fish. Serve with a salad and some good crusty bread.
BROILED TILAPIA PARMESAN
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 cup butter, soft
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp dried basil (or Italian seasoning)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp celery salt
2 pounds tilapia fillets
Preheat your oven's broiler.
Grease a broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with dried basil, pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix well and set aside.
Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to over cook the fish.
Thank you for following along. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend. Click the link to sign up. It's never too late! SIMPLE40
Comments