Give Your Time to God

Putting things off  is so much simpler than doing them right away, especially obligations of high importance when we are feeling tired and worn out. Not to say that there shouldn’t be time for breaks and relaxation, but things that demand our attention – such as ways to healthily sustain our bodily needs, family commitments, work, and especially, religious obligations – need to be done in a timely manner. However, our sinful nature can lead us astray. We must fight against negligence and laziness, because God asks us to prioritize the most essential duties before we can make time for leisure. 

I remember one instance where my parish priest was stressing in his homily the importance of doing things on time. He gave the example of being late to a birthday party. He talked about how coming a day late to enjoy the cake is not equivalent to meeting your obligation of being at the party on the specific day for the celebration, especially since all the gifts have been opened, games were played, and overall, you missed the event and have truly missed its importance. 

We can apply this example not only to all of our daily commitments (body, mind, and soul) but also to our overarching goal of reaching Paradise. For Sacred Scripture states: 

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.” 2 Peter 3:10 

We should stay true to these words not by just doing the bare minimum of what our Catholic Faith requires but by embracing God with a servant’s heart and doing everything in our power to build up His kingdom here below. Be Christ-like by serving others. Whether through prayer or by doing an act of charity for a family member or even whatever occupation you find yourself in, do everything with the heart of Christ and you will notice Christ in others. You will see how He helps carry all your burdens no matter how heavy they may be. Jesus says so in Sacred Scripture.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

In this verse we see how truly Jesus is the rest our souls need, and working for His kingdom is what we ought to do if we are to be His followers. A prayer I have always taken great comfort in was the prayer for the spirit of work to Saint Joseph by Pope Saint Pius X:

“O Glorious Saint Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, never shrinking from weariness and trials; to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, keeping unceasingly before my eyes death and the account that I must give of time lost, talents unused, good omitted, and vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God.

All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch, Saint Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.”

Let us never forget that our time is precious, and how we choose to spend it speaks volumes. Make each second count with how you spend your time. Always remember that if you follow God’s will for your life, the work may be plenty but the fruit of your labor and its rewards are indeed great in Heaven. This is the truth we must come to realize as we start out on our own, laboring for Jesus. 

If you must take away one piece of advice from my column, see the the following beautiful quote from Padre Pio. His words helped me pursue my personal goals:

“Who can assure us that we will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: “Today, if you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.” Let us not put off from one moment to another (what we should do) because the (next moment) is not yet ours.” Saint Padre Pio