I was going to write about apathy along with this topic because I think they can be closely related, but I decided apathy might be a longer one, so this one is going to be shorter. The other day a friend of mine and I were talking and we started talking about some good memories we have, things we both miss that have changed. I kind of wrote about is this is another article called “We Only Have Today” so go read that. Anyway, I kept thinking about this, and it made me a little sad to think about the way things have changed - not that they haven't been good. There have been some good times that we just can’t go back to. Then I got to thinking about wasting time.
Since I started this Exodus 90 program with some brothers, I have been very careful as to how I spend my time. For this program, you aren't supposed to watch TV or movies at all. We decided to make a rule that if you are watching with other people is fine, but I still don't watch anything unless it is Sunday. I remember before last semester watching so much TV and stuff all the time. I'd finish a show then start a new one. I can't remember what shows I was watching, I can’t recall how many hours I spent doing that. What was the benefit of doing that? To say that I watched the show? Because it was in trending? I don't know and I can’t remember why I deiced to start watching the shows I did. What I can remember are the times I spent watching something as a family or watching something with my friends. I remember more doing things with my family, or hanging out with my friends. Those times I could tell you the benefits - like building stronger bonds or deeper connections.
How are we spending our time? Are we wasting it? All that time I spent watching something by myself is wasted, it's gone and I can’t get it back. How much time do you spend playing that video game by yourself? Watching or re-watching shows that probably aren't the best for you to watch. Time is our most valuable resource, but it's limited. It's not renewable. I have had this Examination of Conscience for a while now and one of the things it asks is have you wasted your time? I never really understood that until now. Our lives are a gift from God, the time we have is given to us. How are you using that? When you die and hopefully go to heaven and God shows you your life, are you going to be able to explain to him the hours upon hours you spent with a screen? Are you going to be able to explain how watching that show for the 10th time helped you or anyone else get to heaven? I don’t think I will.
“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,”will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” Matthew 21:23
Now I don't think it is all bad, sometimes after a long day, it's nice to give your mind a rest.It can be good to stay up to date with what’s popular so to be able to relate to it, but that doesn't mean you need to watch every episode. Maybe as you watch it you can think of the moral problems, and if you still think they’re wrong. Or maybe before you watch it you see if someone will watch it with you. Maybe you only watch it after you say a rosary. Maybe you only don't watch it and you use that time to read the bible. I’m not saying it’s wrong it is actually a good thingand the people who produce it put a lot of time and effort into making it and they really are talented. All I am saying is that from now on, before I watch something, I’m going to ask someone to watch it with me, and I might only watch one episode at a time. Try not to waste your time, because it is all the time you have.
Just my thoughts
Go with God.
