An article was recently published in the Nugget entitled “Killing Time” by Kenn Stright that really got me thinking.
I know that much of what I do for relaxation could fall into the category of “killing time”; but what really got me thinking was that perhaps “killing time” isn’t the only downside to these activities!
Now please don’t get me wrong. Relaxation is vital to our health, and no matter what your calling, no matter what your stress level, you need to partake in regular relaxation times! The point here is not that we relax, but what we do while we relax!
Relaxation will look different for every one of us. Some relax by putting their feet up and reading the paper or a good book or by watching TV. Others relax by taking a walk. Still others find cooking and cleaning and laundry relaxing. I kind of wish I were in that category! My house would be a lot cleaner, and the laundry bin wouldn’t be overflowing! Other ways to relax involve meditation and yoga, or talking to a friend or just “doing nothing”. Perhaps your relaxation of choice is to go fishing or hiking in the mountains. Or, perhaps, like me, you get caught up scrolling through posts and videos on Facebook or Instagram or TicTok. And the list could go on and on. We are all unique, therefore it stands to reason and our relaxation of choice will differ dramatically from others around us.
I believe that there is positive relaxation to be found in each of these activities. And yes, I do include social media! Lots of great things can be found on social media! But there is also potentially plenty of negatives to each of these relaxations-of-choice.
Getting back to killing time… What if we aren’t just killing time — read wasting precious hours where we could be being God’s hands and feet — but rather, we are actually doing things that will harm us or others?
Talking on the phone can be very encouraging to both us and the ones we talk with. But what if that conversation turns to gossip? Yup! Doing more than killing time here!
Sitting with our feet up can be beneficial to our health, especially if we are tired; and this time can be used to worship and praise and pray. But what if our minds are busy contemplating things that shouldn’t be contemplated?
Hiking in the mountains. Now that’s one of my personal favs… It can be a time of reflection, of worship, of admiration of God’s creation. But it can also be about ego: I climbed that mountain! Look what I accomplished! Or, in the case of many who are addicted to exercise and obsessed with weight control, it could be more about working off all the extra calories we probably shouldn’t have eaten in the first place.
What about meditation? The Bible tells us to meditate! How can this negative? Let’s remember, however that the Bible tells us very specifically what we are to meditate upon: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…” (Jos, 1:8 ESV). The world on the other hand would have us meditate on our breath, for example, on our present state, on our emotions. Now none of these things are inherently bad, but they are all “me” focused…
And what about one of our favourite relaxations? Watching TV? Again, there is a lot of good stuff on TV, and it is vital to stay connected to what is happening in the world. Unfortunately most of us don’t stick to the good stuff. After all, what’s wrong with watching that movie? I know it has new age underpinnings, but it has good things in it too! I know how to dislodge and reject the one while embracing the other!
But do I? Really? Do you? Really? Or are you like me, and the images that stick with you aren’t of the most honourable kind? We know that certain things are wrong – illicit sex, revenge, self-reliance, to name a few. Yet when we are fed a constant diet of these things through our media outlets, don’t we find they start to become “normalized” in our minds?
The point is, each of our relaxation strategies can be used for the good; but with each of these strategies we are at risk of not only killing time, but potentially causing other harm as well.
So what kind of relaxation strategies would not fall into the category of “killing time”?
Well, pretty much all of the afore mentioned strategies. When you meditate, meditate on God’s love, on His goodness, on His mercy and grace. When you go hiking or fishing, spend your time reflecting on God’s creation and the many lessons to be learned. When you sit to read a book, make it a book that is uplifting, one that will help in your relationship with God. Be choosy about what you watch on TV, about what you read on social media, etc.
Remember:
1. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV).
2. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV); and perhaps one of my personal favorites:
3. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 ESV)
Got time to kill? Why not “kill” it in a productive manner, in a manner that will draw you closer to your Father in Heaven? For when you do, you aren’t “killing time” at all! Rather you are investing it!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
