I’ve often wondered whether we should focus our efforts on space or time.

I’ve come to the conclusion space holds more wonder, mystery and excitement for us—an opportunity to push our imaginations to the limit.

Time, it appears, is a self-serving endeavor.

Consider two breakthrough inventions: interstellar travel and time travel.

Interstellar travel would allow us to expand our horizons to the stars, seeking out even more of what this universe has to offer. It would be an opportunity to discover other habitable planets, witness cosmic events and potentially meet other life.

Time travel would allow us to see into our past and future, but consider the ramifications.

Who would it serve?

What would you do if given an opportunity to travel through time?

Our answer to that question is rarely altruistic.

Even in the religious context, there’s been a greater focus on time than space. It’s an obsession with the present moment, sacred time or eternity. Actions are guided as a means to get access to the prize (mainly one with eternity).

However, if the focus were to shift to sacred space, consider the consequences.

We would no longer look at specific buildings as sacred grounds. We would recognize, with our understanding of how the water system works, all water is holy. The holiness doesn’t magically stop at the end of rivers or is somehow contained in small indoor fountains.

Any place can be considered sacred if it’s treated in such a way. Early Christian doctrine held that God wrote the book of nature and the book of God. To read one is to understand the other.

As our space is taken away from us, perhaps this is the perfect time to revisit the idea of focusing on space and letting go of our self-serving notions of time.