In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today we must ask ourselves a simple but serious question: Do I have time for God?
Every one of us has a daily routine. We wake up, check our phones, go to work or school, take care of responsibilities, eat, talk, drive, scroll, watch television, and rest. Our days become full very quickly. Yet if we are honest, much of our time is not spent only on necessary things. Much of it is spent on distractions.
We may say, "I am too busy to pray." But somehow we find time for television. We find time for social media. We find time for videos, messages, news, entertainment, hobbies, and conversations that do not always bring us closer to God. We may spend hours feeding our minds with the noise of the world, but only a few rushed minutes feeding our souls.
Then we wonder why we feel anxious, spiritually dry, impatient, angry, or far from God.
What Receives the First Place in Our Day?
The problem is not always that we have no time. Often the problem is that we have given our time to everything else first, and God receives whatever is left over.
Christ tells us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). He does not say, "Seek God when you have nothing else to do." He does not say, "Seek God only when life becomes difficult." He says, "Seek ye first."
This is why we must examine our priorities. If God is truly the center of our life, then He cannot be treated as an afterthought. Prayer cannot be only a last-minute emergency call. The Gospel cannot be a book we open only in church. Our faith cannot be reduced to Sunday morning alone.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33
One Hour for God
The encouragement is simple: dedicate at least one hour each day to God.
One hour out of twenty-four. Can we give one hour to the Lord Who gives us every breath? One hour for prayer. One hour for reading the Holy Gospel. One hour for listening to Orthodox teaching, the lives of the saints, hymns, or spiritual talks. One hour for silence before God. One hour for repentance, thanksgiving, and attention to the soul.
Some may say, "Father, one hour is too much." But we should ask ourselves honestly: how much time do we spend on our phones each day? How much time do we spend watching shows? How much time do we spend scrolling through things we forget five minutes later?
If we can give hours to entertainment, surely we can give one hour to God.
Begin Seriously, Even If You Begin Small
This does not mean every person must begin with a perfect monastic prayer rule. It means we must begin seriously. If one hour at once is difficult, divide it throughout the day.
- Pray in the morning before the noise of the day begins.
- Read the Gospel for ten or fifteen minutes.
- Say the Jesus Prayer while driving, walking, or working.
- Listen to Orthodox teaching, hymns, or the lives of the saints instead of empty noise.
- Pray before sleep, offering the day back to God in repentance and thanksgiving.
Little by little, the heart begins to change. The goal is not simply to complete an hour. The goal is to give God real space in our life.
Time Given to God Is Not Lost
When we give time to God, we are not losing time. We are receiving life. Prayer brings peace. The Gospel gives direction. The teachings of the Church protect us from confusion. The lives of the saints remind us what holiness looks like. Silence before God heals what constant noise damages.
The world is always asking for our attention. The phone asks. The television asks. Work asks. Worries ask. Entertainment asks. But God also calls us quietly, patiently, and lovingly.
The question is: will we answer?
Today Is the Day to Return
Let us not wait until we are old. Let us not wait until tragedy comes. Let us not wait until we feel ready. Today is the day to return to God. Today is the day to pray. Today is the day to open the Gospel. Today is the day to make our homes places where Christ is remembered, not forgotten.
Let each of us make a serious commitment: one hour a day for God. Not as a burden, but as an offering. Not only as a rule, but as a relationship.
Because if we say we love God, then we must give Him our heart. And if we give Him our heart, we must also give Him our time.
May the Lord help us reorder our lives, turn away from distractions, and seek first His Kingdom. May He teach us to pray, to love His Word, and to spend our days in a way that prepares us for eternal life.
Amen.
If you would like to read more about ordering daily life around God, you may purchase How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan Gregory Postnikov at Holy Trinity Church Supplies from Jordanville. Jordanville describes this book as a short guide for how an Orthodox Christian should conduct himself through the course of the day, including morning, work, meals, evening, before sleep, and Sundays.