All of my life, I was told by the Society that I should “buy out the opportune time”. To them, this phrase meant that I should cut down on watching TV or some other worthless activity, and of course, spend that newfound time worshipping the great publishing company.
Well, since I stopped going to meetings on April 10, 2002, I have discovered an entirely new and far more enjoyable application for the admonition to “buy out the opportune time.” Whenever I find myself doing something fun or relaxing when I should be at a meeting or service, this phrase invariably comes to mind – particularly if I happen to see others enslaved.
For example, a few weeks ago I was out garage sailing with my son on Saturday morning when we passed the KH. A few from our Bookstudy group were heading to their cars. There was a time when I would have felt very embarrassed for being seen in a secular activity on a Saturday morning. But, I suddenly realized that I didn’t feel bad at all. I felt great. If anything, I felt sorry for the drones.
Anyway, now that I have Tuesday night, Thursday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon free – every week – I have a long list of things that are more fun than meetings. Such as:
- sleeping in
- reading
- having breakfast at McDonalds
- chess tournaments
- watching football games
- garage sailing
- gardening
- sitting on the deck, under the umbrella with a book and a beer
I spend more time with my kids than I did as a Witness and my yard looks better than it ever has before.
I have indeed “bought out the opportune time”. Thank you, Watchtower Society, for one useful lesson. Even if the application was wrong, the words were right.
What do you do with your new time?