At this time of NFL football playoffs and NCAA championship bowl games, you can hear a lot about “hang time.” It’s the term used to describe the amount of time that a punt “hangs in the air” before it is caught by a player on the opposing team. More time is better, allowing the kicking team’s players to get closer to the receiver to pin him deep in his own territory.

So, in essence, more hang time allows you to get closer to your goal of winning the game.

In the New Testament, Jesus also valued hang time. No, he wasn’t a punter for a 1st century football team that played on Sundays in the local arena. What I mean is that he asked his disciples to come “hang with him.” As we read Matthew’s account, Jesus’ words were simply, “follow me” (Matt. 4:19, 8:22, 9:9). He was asking them to hang with him. To go where he goes. Eat what he eats. Sleep where he sleeps. Walk where he walks. Listen to his teachings. Sit in on the discussions afterwards. Question him. Believe him. Trust him.

That’s what a disciple was and did. He hung out with his teacher and did life together with him. Why? Well, for one, because the teacher invited him to do so. And second, so that he could learn to live more consistent with his life’s calling by just hanging out with his teacher and mentor.

So, my question to you is this: When was the last time you really hung out with Jesus? When was the last time you just sat at his feet, listening to him talk and soaking in what he was saying.

I don’t mean reading the Bible preparing to do something else–like teach a Sunday school class, lead a devotional, prepare a sermon, or find an answer to a specific problem. As good and worthy as all those endeavors are, simply reading the Bible to spend some good “hang time” with Jesus is vital to being a Jesus follower.

Feel free to share how your “hang time” is or isn’t with Jesus? No casting judgment on each other. Instead, let’s do all we can to encourage one another to follow him more faithfully.

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

5 Responses to “Hang time”

1. Joanne says:

   January 12, 2012 at 7:32 am

   I “hang” with Jesus all day. My walk has grown that personal. I am constantly thanking and asking direction all day. Even when possible I even get on my knees at times!
2. Hang time continued . . . | Help For My Life says:

   January 17, 2012 at 3:28 pm

   [...] good friend and colleague read my last blog and commented that he thought one could get the impression from reading it that reading the Bible [...]
3. Believe_you says:

   February 21, 2012 at 3:11 am

   I wonder how you would start to “hand out” with Him again when your life is falling apart. I felt He is so far away. I can’t hear Him, I can’t talk to Him. I can’t feel Him. I am longing to have Him to say “here I am”.
   I love the verses in Footprint. But “Where is He?”
4. Tim Jackson says:

   February 21, 2012 at 3:19 pm

   Great question! And your timing is perfect. Our tendency is to try and spruce up our lives, to clear away the clutter, or the rubble, and present our “patched together” lives so God will want to hang out with us. That never works. It just keeps us from him. Instead, invite Him into your mess. Chat with Him just like you would a real person you can see, touch, hear, and enjoy. Conversation that includes listening to Him and you sharing your heart with him. Find a place and time that works especially well for you. Just don’t limit yourself to that one place and time.

   What works for me are times in the woods or on a river with my fly rod. Or on my patio with a cup of coffee in the early morning with the Word. Driving into the office and talking or singing out loud to God with an old hymn or some sort of praise music. I must constantly remind myself that He’s always there . . . whether I can see, touch, taste, or feel Him doesn’t matter. He said He’d be there and I’m taking Him at His word.

   But hey, that’s what works for me. Find what works for you . . . and He’ll meet you there too.
5. Believe_you says:

   February 23, 2012 at 3:13 am

   Very interesting. I listen to the Daily Bread this morning and the message was go to talk to your christen friend when the time in meed. Let your prayer be the first rather the last. Here you are sharing your thought.
   Thanks for your words. I don’t know it will work or not but I will give it a go.

   Talk to you next time.