Ephesians 5:16-33
How many times a week do you find yourself thinking or saying, If I just had a little more time? Or, Why can't there be more hours in a day? Well I don't know about you, but I wish for expanded time a lot. Kind of silly, I know, because no matter how we come at it, there are only 24 hours in a day and once today is done, it's gone forever.
So when Paul tells us to look carefully at how we walk and to make the best use of our time because the days are evil (Ephesians 15-16), it caught my attention. Time is always an issue for me. I pack every minute of pretty much every day full. So I thought it would be good for me to take a closer look at how I'm handling my time.
So are you up for joining me in a little self assessment? Here goes:
- How much of my time am I spending for the Lord?
- Am I using that time wisely?
- Could I be doing more?
- Should I be doing more?
- Is there something that's diverting my time (and attention) away from the Lord?
- How do I balance my time between the Lord's work and my family? The Lord's work and my job?
I spent quite a little time thinking on this and the "should I be doing" and the "balancing time" questions hit me the hardest. I over extend myself "doing things" for the Lord (that's hard for me to admit to you, by the way). I know it, but I still allow it. So thank you Lord (and Paul) for Your words and prompting because I needed this gut check today.
So how'd you do with your assessment? Are there any time adjustments (less or more) in your future? Tami W.
Really some great,probing questions! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
My BIGGEST struggle is with the 5th question [is there something diverting my time/attention]. Nowadays in our society, it's so easy to spend too much time with things, even "Christian things", and neglect the Lord! Oswald Chambers - one of my favorite authors; says something like this [my paraphrase because I don't remember his exact words],that sometimes we pursue good things and end up missing out on what is best.
Hello to all: Yes guilty of doing to much. God's desire for me is to spend more quiet time with him. Have a bless day.
If you have children, then spending time training them up is the Lord's work.
If our focus( bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ) is on God then even our busyness will show His light to those around us.
Great blog! I can attest that the fruits of a passionate, prioritized relationship with God (worshiping, reading, listening to Christian music, etc.) is a life flooded with purpose, confidence and joy and that getting bored with Jesus is not a statement on him, it's a statement on us. I learn something new about Him and something new about myself every day. He's the most intriguing person in the universe and He's worthy of first place! =)
Grace & Peace,
Derrick
I removed TV reception from our home and has given my wife and I more time for each other and in spending time in prayer and the reading of the Bible after we have put our boys to bed.
This has helped both our marriage and our walk with the Lord.
In addition, the removal of TV has taken away a portal for Satan to come into our home through TV programs, the news, and commercials, which are mostly filled with evil.
I get tired of the 2 hour(round trip) bus ride commute for work. However, it gives me time to read my Bible on the bus going to work in the morning. I also like to spend a little time in quiet prayer and meditation on the bus after I do the Bible reading. If I didn't have the commute, I might really struggle getting the Bible reading and quiet prayer time in. I like Robert's idea of just removing the TV reception - or at least cutting it back.
This is one of the Best by far! I truly look forward to reading the daily blog and responding depending on the circumstances. I would respond earlier, but I decided that I would not allow anything to interrupt my time with the Lord in the morning. I used to walk the treadmill and read the word of God, but I realized that it is dangerous (I took a small spill) and I didn't focus on His word. I found that I needed to re-read whatever I accomplished, so it was a waste of time.
I know I should be doing more for the Lord. Maybe more time in His word because my memory is shot. The biggie is balance. Today, I was challenged at work and all I really wanted to do was get into His word. I kept thinking that if I had called off, I could have studied like I wanted to. I am eager and yearning for more, but I feel like my time is used for everything except what I want to use it for. Working on my relationship with God.
Yes, I see some changes coming. I am taking some on-line Bible classes and I don't even have time to dedicate to them, so I know I have to readjust and get my time under control.
Thank you for the assessment, Tami!
I am just starting to realize what the Lord wants me to do. I find it difficult to balance the time with Lord and my personal time. The one thing that diverts my time away from the Lord is my work schedule.
Time is truly fast and what we do with our time, reveals what our priorities are. We spend most of our time working, or with friends or even with family, spending time with work, friends or family is not wrong, if only we spend more time with God, it proves that God is our priority in life. Paul says make the most of your time why? he said because the days are evil. Many christians are weak today because they are not making use of thier time wisely. Paul tells us how we can spend our time wisely (Eph 5 :17-21)- 1. understanding what the will of the Lord is. 2. Being filled with the Spirit and not with wine. 3. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing and making melody with our hearts to the Lord. 4. Giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. 5. Being subject to one another in the fear of Christ. I used to spend most of my time watching movies, until i knew the benefit of spending time with God.
Tami,i am always trying to relate more with GOD. All i ever want now is to live my life for HIM. Though, sometimes i get too busy to have time for HIM. But i am so sure that i will continue to relate with HIM more and more. Thanks to GOD for this your assessment.
These questions hit me hard too, so hard that it has taken me two days to get the courage to even share that I don't spend enough time with the Lord. I just don't use my time wisely. We don't have tv, haven't for two years plus (by the way, that was a great decision which my husband made for the sake of our girls and despite my protests of being uninformed, etc.) but I know I spend too much time on the internet:). Thank you Back to the Bible and Tami for convicting us, exhorting us to live better, wiser lives for Christ.
I seem to be on the run a lot of the time, so I tune into a Christian radio station and sing along with the radio, and generally talk with God. I have also moved the computer away from the t.v., so I can spend more time doing what I should, and less time there. (I actually prefer being in the office/den now!)I wake up with a song in my heart when I am on the right track with God. There are more ways I could/should change. I wasn't always like this! God put me in a job that took an hour to get to. Now I look forward to those quiet times.
I spend a minimum three hours daily devoted to the Lord. My first waking hours are spent giving praise and thanks to God.
Sometimes I think I am using the time wisely but sometimes I am not sure as I allow other household "chores" that others could do, take over my time. Personally, I would like to spend more time going over some Bible studies and readings with just God, me and the Bible in a very quiet place.
Should I be doing more? of course, God has always been there for me and it would be a great honour for me to do more but I have to wait for His command.
God is always there to remind me not to entertain certain things. Sometimes I try to make an excuse but next day if I feel He is not there I really feel awful. I believe He is there but it is just that I feel guilty. Because He will never leave us nor forsake us. I try not to entertain anything that would make me feel uncomfortable or irritable.
Fortunately, I am retired so I do have time to do some work for the Lord. I really enjoy what I am doing now and would feel lost if I could not visit these people (approximately 60 per month).
I would like to get my immediate family to spend time with me in the Word. The best I can do right now is share some very inspirational devotions or share my journey either by telling them, calling or emailing other family members and friends. Sometimes, I receive messages (mainly from friends) thanking me for sharing and what it meant to them. All I can do now is just keep praying for them and asking God for His guidance and strength. I can see some changes and know He is working with me and I thank Him so much for the opportunity.
I have found that, like Carol, I enjoy my 3 hours minimum of driving for work because it puts me in contact with the various radio programs that help me focus on God's word and come to a better understanding of it. Yet, when I am not in my work routine, I don't always make that time for study and learning - something else takes the place or fills the time. I am encouraged, though, by the verse in the Bible telling us that, in all things we do we should do it as for the Lord. Keeping Him in mind as I go about the busyness is better than neglecting Him. Praying as I go in little ways: for help, for thanksgiving, for others I come across through the day who can use the prayer. And who doesn't need that?
God is with me in every minute I'm alive but I need to acknowledge that every minute so I won't miss an opportunity. Even if I rest and sit knitting listening to a good Christian teacher or watching an old movie on tv. Thank you for your service to our Lord. Please pray for my family's salvation.