Filling Time

It's that time of year folks. People are graduating from high school or uni, finishing up work commitments or just coming to the end of another long and winding year. I know the feeling. All my exams are finished, things are winding down at work, holidays are now looming. All of which is a massive relief...at least until next year. All I can do is stare blankly, shrug my shoulders and sigh as I watch my 2015 calendar quickly fill up while the realisation dawns that next year is going to be MASSIVE! This time of finishing, be it school or work, is crucial. The way that we collate, review and evaluate our experiences and learnings directly effects the way that we respond in the future.

What I really want to do is go for a drive. I want to hop into my car and just hit the road. I can imagine it now: windows down, wind rushing through my car, ruffling my hair. My favourite playlist playing, I would be drumming along on the steering wheel, singing like no one is watching (and probably drawing funny looks from other motorists). I would drive winding roads which dance their way through green, rolling hills. The smell of country air would refresh my worn soul. The destination would be unclear, but the journey would clear my head. Nice picture, right?

That might all sound like some sort of fantastical escapism; and I think in our entertainment driven world of screens (phones, laptops, tvs) it's really easy to bury ourselves away in a world of fantasy. Many times I have found myself with assignment deadlines and work projects encroaching my free head space, choosing to self-medicated with hours of youtube, facebook and itunes.

It's easy to escape when we should instead be engaged. But then, when things have settled and there are no deadlines, there is suddenly way, way too much time to waste on youtube, facebook or itunes. I think as young people we too quickly fill our time up with stuff and things, we don't actually use time when we have it.

Perhaps instead of filling time we need to let time fill us up, to spend time rather than waste it. That's why I'm going to go for a drive. Clear my head, get away from the constructs of humanity and get to somewhere where I can appreciate some of God's good nature. I yearn to take some time to appreciate: appreciate the year that's been, appreciate all the comings and going, the ups and the downs and to rekindle my hopes and dreams with renewed optimism.

Many of us will be making some sort of life decisions as we approach the New Year. It's important that as we make those decisions we're intentional with how we use our time. Be intentional and use this time to pause, to reflect and to engage with the questions: where am I going, what am I doing, who am I? Time might take you on a random drive or to a coffee shop, wherever it takes you embrace the seclusion, empty yourself and allow some time for God to speak to you.