The Unrelenting River – A Study of Intentional Living

“The fleeting twenty-second interval you are about to dedicate to perusing the first paragraph of this exceptionally crafted and insightful article by a profoundly gifted author represents a finite and irretrievable portion of your existence, a collection of moments that will never again be recaptured or experienced.”

My favorite quote about time from Groucho Marx: “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.” (Please insert groan here.)

Time is a concept so fundamental to our existence that we often take it for granted. It’s the invisible force that governs every aspect of our lives, the relentless river that carries us from birth to death. We mark its passage with the ticking of clocks, the turning of seasons, and the lines on our faces. Yet, despite its constant presence, our relationship with time is complex and often contradictory. We waste it, we cherish it, we try to fill it, and its unyielding march perpetually governs us. I submit a study of intentional living.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” William Penn

The phrase "wasting time" evokes a sense of guilt and lost opportunity. We feel it most acutely when we're scrolling endlessly through social media, binge-watching television shows, or engaging in activities that provide little to no lasting value. This feeling of waste stems from a deep-seated understanding that our time on Earth is finite. We are given a limited number of days, and every moment spent on the trivial is a moment not spent on the meaningful.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” Charles Darwin

The modern world, with its constant stream of distractions, has made it easier than ever to squander our most precious resource. The average person spends hours each day on their phone, often without a clear purpose. This isn't to say that all leisure is a waste; relaxation and recreation are vital for our well-being. The distinction lies in intention. Wasted time is often characterized by a lack of purpose—a passive consumption of content rather than an active engagement with life. It's the difference between mindlessly flicking through a feed and deliberately spending an evening with loved ones or pursuing a hobby that brings joy.

“Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it.” Leonardo da Vinci

The value of time is incalculable precisely because it is non-renewable. We can earn more money, acquire more possessions, and even recover from health setbacks, but we can never get back a single moment that has passed. This scarcity is what makes time so precious. It is the raw material of our lives, and how we choose to spend it determines the quality and substance of our existence.

“Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream.” Khalil Gibran

The value of time is most apparent in moments of significance: the birth of a child, a heartfelt conversation with a friend, or the completion of a long-term goal. These are the moments that we cherish, the memories that we hold dear. They serve as a potent reminder that time is not merely a measure of duration, but a canvas upon which we paint the picture of our lives. When we understand its value, we become more intentional with our choices, prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of what doesn't.

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” Steven R. Covey

Humans have an innate desire to fill their time with activities, both to stave off boredom and to find meaning. We strive to fill our days with worthwhile pursuits—learning a new skill, volunteering for a cause we believe in, or building a strong family. These activities not only provide a sense of purpose but also contribute to our personal growth and the well-being of others. They are investments in our future, the seeds we plant for a richer harvest later on.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” J.R.R. Tolkien

On the other hand, we also fill our time with things that are not so worthwhile. These are the activities that, while perhaps momentarily distracting, ultimately leave us feeling empty. This could be anything from excessive shopping to gossiping or pursuing fleeting pleasures that lack substance. This dichotomy underscores our ongoing struggle to distinguish between what is truly enriching and what is merely a temporary distraction. It’s a constant battle between our higher aspirations and our baser instincts.

“Time is the wisest counselor of all.” Pericles

Our lives are intrinsically governed by time. From the moment the alarm clock wakes us in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night, we are slaves to its schedule. Our workweeks, holidays, and even our biological rhythms are all dictated by the clock. This structure provides a necessary framework for society to function, but it can also feel like a cage. We often find ourselves rushing from one commitment to the next, our lives a series of appointments and deadlines.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

This relentless pace can lead to stress and a feeling of being constantly "behind." We live in a culture that glorifies busyness, where a packed schedule is often seen as a badge of honor. However, this constant hurry can rob us of the present moment. It can make us so focused on the future—on the next task, the next goal—that we fail to appreciate the present moment. The challenge lies in finding a balance between the necessary structure of time and the freedom to be.

“If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” John Wooden

Beyond its practical application, time is a profound subject of metaphysical inquiry. Philosophers and scientists have long debated its nature. Is time an objective reality, an external dimension in which events occur? Or is it merely a subjective human construct, a way for our minds to organize and make sense of the world?

“Yesterday's the past, tomorrow is the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.” Bill Keane

One of the most famous philosophical perspectives is that of Heraclitus, who believed that "you cannot step into the same river twice," emphasizing the constant flux of reality. This view sees time as a process of becoming, where everything is in a state of perpetual change. In contrast, Parmenides argued that change is an illusion and that reality is a timeless, unchanging whole.

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” Abraham Lincoln

In physics, Albert Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of time and space. It posits that time is not absolute but somewhat relative to the observer's motion and the gravitational field in which they are located. This means that time can pass at different rates for different people, leading to the mind-bending concept of time dilation. For a person traveling at near the speed of light, time would slow down relative to someone on Earth. This scientific perspective blurs the lines between time as a simple measurement and time as a malleable aspect of the universe's fabric.

“Time is what prevents everything from happening at once.” Albert Einstein

As a Christian author, I find that the Bible offers a rich and deeply meaningful perspective on time. While it acknowledges the linear nature of time, it also places a strong emphasis on its divine purpose and our responsibility within it. The Bible teaches that God exists outside of time, as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Its limitations do not constrain him, but He created it and operates within it.

The book of Ecclesiastes is perhaps the most famous biblical text on the subject. Ecclesiastes 3:1 famously states, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." This passage emphasizes that there is a divine order and purpose to all things, from birth to death, from weeping to laughing. It teaches us that our lives are not a series of random events but are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan.

The Bible also urges us to be wise stewards of our time. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." This is a powerful call to intentional living. It's a reminder that our time is a gift from God, and we are accountable for how we use it. We are called to redeem the time, which means to use it for God's glory and the good of others, rather than squandering it on selfish pursuits. Please remember, my friends, God created time first.

In conclusion, our relationship with time is a journey of contradictions—a struggle between its scarcity and our tendency to waste it, between its structure and our desire for freedom, and between its mundane reality and its profound mystery. Understanding time is not just about knowing its measurement; it’s about recognizing its value, living with intention, and ultimately, finding our purpose within its relentless flow. It is a gift to be cherished, a challenge to be met, and a constant reminder that our lives are finite but can be filled with infinite meaning.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11