This is the (German) subtitle of the New York Times bestselling book „4000 Weeks“ by Oliver Burkeman. Interesting. Shortly before Christmas I had covid, a „minor“ case of food poisoning shortly after Christmas and then at the beginning of January I had a troublesome flu that dragged on forever. A bit strange for me. I only get sick once a year at most, not three times in 30 days. And yet I’m grateful for that. I had a full agenda at the beginning of January and really wanted to get going. Not a chance.
I had already noted in my diary beforehand: „I was able to recognize the freedom and security that prevails when you simply embrace the moment and try to go along with what you (the Lord) are doing. I think that was a profound insight. Not like I didn’t know that before. But it was somehow deeper, more existential and not just intellectual. Not simply discern what you want from me, but rather realizing: YOU are up to something, you are doing something right now and I am allowed to join in or go along with it. The wind blows where it wills. You’re building waves, I have to learn to surf…and to float.“
I have the impression that many things happened to me during my illness that were simply the Lord’s work in me. Not because I was trying particularly hard. The grace to prioritize relationships over „to-dos“ was almost natural. And in general, my relationship with time has changed a little. I had to sleep more to recover well and therefore had less „time“ to get things done. And yet I have the impression that I am at least a little less stressed, that my time with the Lord in prayer (our first priority as religious priests is our relationship with the Lord and prayer for the world – about three and a half to four and a half hours a day) has a new quality, calm and depth.
I believe that through the illness the Lord has helped me to relativize the importance of my own work a little. The world didn’t end because I wasn´t around, the John Paul II. Center is still standing. Life is too short for time management. John Mark Comer’s book, „The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry“ strikes the same chord. And then there was the exchange with my fellow priest Fr. Mark from our community, who just had a two-hour Zoom conversation with the „Monk Manual“ founder, Steven Lawson. „What is your relationship with time?“ was the question. Nobody finds fulfillment in life because they have ticked off their to-do list. „Doing less“ – that was also a topic at the annual offsite of our leadership team. We generally try to overcome problems by doing more things.
All this gives food for thought. The acceptance of our own limitations. Perhaps it is good for all of us to wrestle with this question: What is my relationship to time?
God’s blessing,
- George LC
