Time is how we measure the existence or duration of
something. Our calendars are full of
appointments with times next to them, we express our age based on a measurement
of time, we describe our children by stating their year in school. When you’re young, time drags on forever, and
as you get older, it seems to zoom by leaving us to wonder where all of it
went. We often say “ I just don’t have
time.” The truth is, we all have the
same amount of hours in a day, and we all must choose what to do with those
hours. When you prioritize your day to
maximize the use of your time, is spending time in Scripture and praying at the
top of your list, somewhere in the middle, or is it a flexible item at the
bottom that can be skipped if need be?
First off, to quote my childhood preacher, “I’m preaching at
me, and letting it run off on you.” God
wants to be in the center of my heart.
He wants to be in the center of yours too. It’s interesting that one of the greatest
gifts He gives women is to be a mother, and boy, do kids take up a lot of
time. It’s easy to give our children that
coveted center spot. We want to protect
them, and we want them to be the best at everything so we schedule ourselves
and them with lessons and practices and tutoring sessions until we hear
ourselves saying, “ I just didn’t have time..”.
There’s nothing wrong with lessons or practices or tutoring as long as
God still has priority, and we acknowledge Him as the giver of these children,
as we humbly and lovingly accept the role as their protectors, teachers, and
providers.
Television is a big issue with time too. I love sitting with my family and watching
tv. There’s nothing wrong with watching
tv, but the amount of time I spend watching it compared to the amount of time I
spend in God’s Word is embarrassing for me to even share. If this speaks to you, let me go
further. There are several of us that
have struggled with watching shows that we enjoyed, but knew they weren’t good
for us. If you feel convicted to turn it
down or off when your kids come in the room, ask yourself why you’re watching
it. I, Kim, am speaking as a recovered
addict of the Real Housewives of Everything.
If it isn’t television for you it might be Candy Crush,
Facebook, or many other things…even ministry. Yep, that’s right. Doing good things for the Lord can actually
overtake the priority of studying His word and praying because “I just don’t
have time..” That’s a dangerous place to
dwell. It doesn’t feel dangerous, but
that’s what make it even more so. God isn’t
honored when we work so hard for Him that we forget to read, pray, or when our
family is neglected by our service.
A popular saying is that time changes everything, but God’s
word doesn’t change. Ever. People will
tell you to “Get with the times”, well okay but we need to be in alignment with
God’s word and that doesn’t change no matter how many kids we have, how many tv
shows are created, how many games are downloaded, how many friends we keep up
with on social media, or how many ministries we are serving in.
Somehow, we need to find a happy medium so that we can enjoy
all of these things and still put God at the top of the list.
- · Talk to Him about your kids and their lives. Ask Him to guide them and you as you parent them.
- · Ask God to “nudge” you when the shows you are watching are sneakily harming your spiritual growth.
- · Ask God to show you which ministries you should be involved in, and to help you examine your motives in saying Yes before you get involved.
There is no greater witness to others about your
relationship with God than the way you invest your time.
If your calendar could talk, what would it say about you and
your relationship with God?
Passages to Ponder:
I John 5:21- Dear children, keep away from anything that
might take God’s place in your hearts.
Revelation 2:3-4 You have patiently suffered for me without
quitting. But I have this complaint
against you. You don’t love me or each
other as you did at first.
Matthew 6:33- Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and
live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
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