At a meeting last month in Honduras, one of our newest meetings, I felt God speak to me about a number of things. One of them was timezones. Although God’s message was clear to me, I must substantiate it with Logos if I want my Friends to follow. The article below is an attempt at just that.
While the concept of using a single timezone is not explicitly addressed in Christian scripture, there are several practical and spiritual reasons why Friends may consider embracing a unified approach to timekeeping.
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Unity and Fellowship: Christianity places a strong emphasis on unity and fellowship among believers. By adopting a single timezone, Christians from different regions can align their schedules and activities more effectively, facilitating collaboration, communication, and shared experiences. This promotes a sense of togetherness and enables believers to support one another regardless of geographical barriers, fostering a stronger sense of community within the global body of Christ.
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Stewardship: Stewardship is one of our Testimony and few resources entrusted to us by God are as precious as time. Embracing a single timezone encourages believers to use their time wisely and intentionally. It reminds them that each moment is a gift from God and should be utilized for His purposes. By aligning their schedules with a unified time standard, Christians can cultivate a mindful and purposeful approach to time, ensuring that they make the most of every opportunity to serve and glorify God.
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Global Outreach and Prayer: Christianity is a global faith with followers spread across different time zones. Adopting a single timezone can facilitate coordinated efforts in global outreach and prayer. Believers can synchronize their intercessory prayers, worship gatherings, and mission activities, creating a powerful collective impact. It allows Christians to unite their voices, hearts, and efforts to bring about transformative change in the world, advancing the Kingdom of God with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
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Symbolic Representation: Just as the concept of a single timezone represents unity and interconnectedness among humanity, it can also symbolize the unity of Christians as members of the body of Christ. By embracing a unified approach to timekeeping, Christians demonstrate their commitment to live in harmony and love, transcending geographical and cultural differences. It serves as a visual reminder of their shared faith, purpose, and the call to be ambassadors of God’s love and reconciliation to the world.
Given these reasons, I think it prudent for Friends to informally adopt a single timezone. I propose using Honduran time. Honduran has a central location, the timezone doesn’t change, and its the most active location for Free Friends. In addition, I propose using 24 hour time for clarity and precision. I invite you all to join me in this, but of course, Free Friends should always do what they believe Love requires.