Making time for God

Today in World Cultures V,  Dr. Tatum gave an interesting lecture. Part of the lecture was about how Western civilization is so science/naturally based, whereas other cultures are very religious/spiritual based.

At one point, he asked how much time people spend preparing for the spiritual world and how much time we spend spending for the natural world. The vast majority of the class said 25% (or less) of their time is spent preparing themselves for the spiritual world, while 75%-100% of their time is spent preparing themselves for the natural world. And I was so shocked--not just by how little time my class spends preparing for the spiritual world, but by how little time I spend preparing for the spiritual world. I would say I am definitely in the 25% or less section (only 3 people said they spend 50% of their time in spiritual contemplation/preparation and no one was above that).

Tatum made the point that most other cultures/religions, especially Islam/Middle East, spend 75% or more of their time in spiritual preparation. Even their occupation with the natural world, such as getting a job or having a family, is ultimately done out of a subservient attitude toward the spiritual and a desire to fulfill God's will.

This made me think of Judaism especially. In the Old Testament, as I understand it, there really isn't a breakdown between the spiritual and secular worlds. The spiritual life of the Jew carried over into every other aspect of life: profession, family, social, etc. There wasn't really a breakdown.

And I think that is where our society messed up--in creating a division between secular life and spiritual life, because, I mean let's face it, who has time to dedicate 100% of their time to the natural world and 100% of their time to the spiritual world? Nobody, but that is what we should be doing, and I think it is easier to do if their is overlap.

I spend maybe 30 mins to an hour preparing for the spiritual world. Which comes out to about 2% of my day. A lousy 2%. That is scary. And I thought I was doing good reading my Bible and devo and saying a prayer when I wake up and a prayer at night--if we count the worship music I listen to and the prayers I say throughout the day we might get up to 4%. Maybe.

I spend at least 4% of my time getting ready in the morning--more if you count getting ready for bed. About 6% of my day is spent getting ready physically for the day--just putting make up on and taking it off, picking out earrings, and putting up my hair.  A high estimate says 4% of my day is spent in spiritual reflection.


That is a sobering thought.