Giving Of Our Time and Presence

It's become far too easy in our current culture to feel connected to others through social media or other virtual means and miss out completely on the joys of being fully present.  

We stay busy, filling our calendars with must-do tasks, often perpetuating an illusion that we are productive, but then we spend hours binge-watching TV, doom-scrolling on our phones and otherwise isolating ourselves. 

We'll tell friends and family we are too busy to meet up.  We'll avoid volunteering for worthy causes because we imagine we can't fit one more thing into our calendar.  

For many of us, it's easier to donate financially to our church, community organizations and the like than it is to give of our time.  

Time is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer, yet it is often the resource we guard most carefully. Unlike money or possessions, time cannot be stored or recovered. Once it is given, it is gone. For that very reason, giving our time becomes one of the most meaningful expressions of love.

Scripture consistently reveals that presence matters deeply. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus gives his time freely. He stops for those others overlook. He listens to those who are ignored. He allows interruptions to become opportunities for compassion. In doing so, he shows that love is not rushed. It is attentive.

Giving our time is not simply about filling a schedule with good deeds. It is about how we show up in the moments we already inhabit. Being fully present with someone—listening without distraction, offering attention without hurry—is a form of generosity that cannot be replicated by anything else.

In a culture that values productivity, presence can feel inefficient. We measure time by output rather than connection. Yet Scripture points us toward a different way. “Be devoted to one another in love,” Paul writes (Romans 12:10). Devotion requires time. It cannot be rushed or reduced.

Lent invites us to examine how we spend our time and whether it reflects what we value most. Are we too busy to be present? Do we offer attention only when it is convenient? Or do we make space for meaningful connection, even when it requires sacrifice?

Giving our time also reshapes our priorities. When we choose to be present with others, we begin to see what matters most. Conversations deepen. Relationships strengthen. Moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed become sacred.

This kind of generosity does not require grand gestures. It is found in small, intentional acts—a conversation without distraction, a visit to someone who is lonely, a willingness to pause and listen. These moments reflect the heart of Christ more clearly than any efficiency ever could.

Time and presence given in love are never wasted. They create space where grace can be experienced and shared.

In this season, consider how you might give your time more intentionally. Where is God inviting you to slow down, to listen, and to be present? In offering your time, you may discover that what you give returns in the form of deeper connections and renewed perspectives.

Prayer

God of presence, teach us to give our time with generosity and love. Help us slow down and be fully present with others. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. Where is your time most often consumed?

2. Who might need your presence right now?

3. How could you offer your time more intentionally?