Why Alan Ritchson is ‘Intentional’ About Spending Time With Family and God
By Movieguide® Contributor
REACHER star Alan Ritchson opened up about why he’s intentional about spending time with his family and with God, something he calls “the slow time process.”
In a recent InstaChurch video, the actor revealed that he and his wife once considered hiring a full-time nanny. But when one of their sons asked, “Where do we go when we die?” the couple knew they needed to be present in their kids’ lives.
“I’m being very intentional about being with my family, with my wife and my kids, without electronic devices, without work, without any ambition for the future,” Ritchson said. “I’m seeing a huge difference in the dynamics of my family and my marriage.”
He and his wife, Cat, share sons Calem, Edan and Amory. Even while he’s on set, their family sticks together.
“Being away from my family for long stretches on location was hard on them and me,” he said in December 2023. “So Cat and I recently sold our Florida house and we now live in Airbnbs and hotels while I’m on set.”
Ritchson reflected on how, like spending time with his family, he also needs to be intentional about being with God.
“In doing so, if that’s true for our personal relationships—that there is treasure to be had in the slow time between the adventures we have without colleagues or family or friends—is it not true that God would operate in the same way?” he asked.
“If that’s not a reflection of the way things work—that God wishes to be in a relationship with us where we have our active adventures like reading scripture, going to church, communing together, Bible studies or small groups,” he continued. “But then we go away, and we have our slow time process with God where some deeply revelatory truth will bubble up to the surface or our soul will reveal to us where our hearts really lie with certain subjects. I believe that that’s true.”
Ritchson credits his faith for saving his life after he attempted suicide in 2019.
“My family was there for me, some doctors were there for me, and I got help and pulled through,” he told The Christian Post. “But I had to find what meaning and purpose look like after that, and it looked like serving others and having a real relationship with God.”
Movieguide® previously reported on why Ritchson focuses on others rather than fame:
But despite the success he’s found, fame isn’t his focus.
“I’ve come to learn that it’s not what matters most,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I try to keep my eyes fixed on opportunities to serve others.”
“It’s faith, family, mental health, business practices, all of it is sort of prioritized in the right way that it can work together well in concert,” he explained.
One way he does this is through his InstaChurch videos, where the actor reflects on faith and scripture and how they relate to daily life.
“I’m a Christian quite simply because of what Jesus calls us to do,” he explained. “Love other people until death. It doesn’t mean we’re all to be hung on a cross, but how can I suffer for you? That is a beautiful thing.”
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +1