I have been cataloging the minutes in my day thinking through how I spend my time, as I did this I realized that many of the ways I spend my time involve the many “things” in my life. Accordingly, many of the things in my life to which I am inordinately attached involve recreation and leisurely engagements. These idols include my friends, music, movies, internet surfing and even sleep. I have become so attached to wasting time here and there, just a few minutes each day on these things, which add up to hours and become a crutch in my life. The way I know that something has become a shrine, replacing God, is when I find myself “needing” it searching for it and desiring it. Whenever any of these things becomes something I require, I become aware that it has taken on a new role in my life, no longer serving me, but rather I have entered into service to it.
A man who has tasted love but once is afflicted indeed; but not as severely as he who knows not loss. If I told you I do not enjoy the trappings of money, a good drink and fine cigar, I would surely be lying for I am but human. However, If I knew that the forsaking any or all of these indulgences would assure or possibly extend to just one man the pleasure which I derive from God’s love, I would without hesitation due so, even for the remainder of my life. Furthermore, if by indulging in any or all of these pleasures I knew I was precluding even one man from the love of God I assure any pleasure I would have derived would be replaced with incomparable agony. Beyond this if one is to truly embrace and experience the pleasure of God’s love he must not only be willing to forsake the pleasures of life, but even embrace the expense of suffering. For without tasting the cost, how can we genuinely suggest the value?