The second half of today’s session at the Time Out Conference was packed — not with speakers and sessions but with free time to connect with participants. Over lunch and through the afternoon, we were able to interact informally with individuals and small groups. Some of these interactions were planned; others occurred spontaneously around the lunch table.

I was fascinated by the range of topics, concerns, and initiatives these men are tackling:

• A call to engage Christians back at the center of culture as did Wilberforce in England as he sought to end slavery and to reform English civilization
• An initiative to reach out to young people on the streets of Oakland.
• Guiding and partnering with the leaders of a major church
• Exploring a business partnership on an investment deal
• Discussing how to create vehicles of small groups and events to encourage and help men in business
• Discussing how to improve marriage and family relationships
• Exploring how to choose the best direction for a career move
• Anticipating the launch of a new business venture - their first
• Sharing about the publication of a book on Sarah Palin
• Sharing about an internet evangelistic outreach that is having remarkable results worldwide
• Discussing the final weeks of a political campaign that will probably land this man in Washington
• Wondering about what to do with a family business in order to prepare the successors
• Debating the extent to which Christian businessmen’s ministries are relevant to business people today
• Learning how to learn from someone across different generational perspectives
• Cheering good news from the stock market
• And the list goes on…

Sound familiar?  I’ll bet any of these topics and more are close to your mind.

The evening meal was capped by a great presentation from Os Guiness. Os has been very instrumental in developing my worldview and I hadn’t heard him in many years. He spoke on the issue of time.  He made the point that, though most make the assertion that market capitalism is the central factor in today’s globalization, it is not. The central factor is technology and speed which has redefined the meaning of time — and this speed is felt by it’s impact on how we view time.

This sense of time and speed has increased pressure on our lives. In early history, civilization existed in one place or another versus some other place — a space-oriented way of looking at progress. We have shifted to a time-oriented way of assessing civilization — who is ahead or behind, who is up to speed with the latest and greatest.

This speed also creates a sense of immediacy. There is a demand for instant gratification. Whereas once there were gaps between what we wanted and what we got, between one thing and the next, there are no longer any gaps. This instant society causes discontent with waiting; with having yesterday’s thing when today’s has just hit the market. It also causes us to be short-sighted and to lose perspective. We no longer have time to reflect. For all our advances in dealing with time, it feels as if we have less time.

The evening session began with a marvelous musical performance and personal story from Canadian Steve Bell. This year, Steve received eight nominations for Canadian Christian Music Awards (Covenant Awards). Steve’s musical genius is inspired. But what touched me the most was his humble and transparent recounting of how his father blessed him to be Steve Bell. At a point where Steve felt his father would not approve of his path, his dad showed up to see him perform and to actually bless him. When Steve asked his father why he came, his dad answered, “You’re my son. How could I not be here?” I think it’s an answer loaded with spiritual meaning.

You can read more about Steve Bell’s view of music and his heart here.

Ken Boa, in his second session, taught on the issue of Being versus Doing. He focused on the problem of busyness which elevates doing over being. This busyness, this focus on doing, makes us future-oriented rather than present-oriented. It elevates results over relationships. It leads us to worship progress. It exalts drivenness over calling.

Boa quoted Eric Hoffer:

“We are warned not to waste time, but we’re brought up to waste our lives.”

That’s a stunning quote to chew on…slowly.

It’s late. Many are staying up to see Ben Stein’s Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Excuse me, guys. I think I’ll get some sleep.

P.S.  My takeaway?  I want to renew my commitment to developing a rhythm of engagement and reflection. I need more than ever to carve out regular, extended time to pray, think, and listen to God. I need the time to get near to God and reflect on Him deeply. Then my ears and heart will be more attuned in all the busyness, with all the options and opportunities, to hear the still small voice of God telling me, “This is the way. Walk in it.”