Now Is The Time!

     Last week I wrote about being good stewards of all that God has given to us. However, there was one major aspect that I forgot to mention and that is the stewardship of our time. Time is one thing that God has given to each of us equally, and it’s up to us to use it wisely. Have you been using your time wisely? It is so easy to get caught up in the “busy-ness” of life that we forget what our first priority is. God is our number one priority and we can show Him that He’s first in our lives by meeting with Him every morning. You don’t have to take a long time when you wake up, but God will honor and bless you when you put Him first. You’ll also find that as you put Him first, you’ll want to spend more and more time with Him. Especially as you wait on Him to hear what He has to say to you. Take a few moments to read some Scriptures and see how He speaks to you. I like to ask God where He wants me to read in the word each day. Most of the time a book of the bible comes to my mind and that’s where I start reading. I also hear God through sermons and devotionals – when just the right words speak to my heart. He longs for us to take the time to be still and know that He is God (Ps 46:10).
     As our days get filled with work, meetings, sporting practices, piano lessons, ballet, band, and all those things that are not bad in and of themselves but cost precious time, we find that we have forgotten God once again. I’ve noticed that I can fill up so much of my spare time with things that are of no significance to God and don’t do a thing to build His kingdom. It makes me wonder just how many hours of television have kept me from the important things of God. Life is definitely one big balancing act. We juggle work and family and church, but where does time alone with God fit in? When we bring Him into our day at the beginning, then we can ask Him to order our day. To keep on God’s schedule, make decisions that involve time commitments by asking God what He would have you do. He so desires to have a relationship with you. He wants to hear what you need and He wants you to listen to Him as well, just as you would do with any normal, healthy relationship. We can’t fully relate to others when we don’t give them our time, and it’s no different with God. When we get so busy it’s hard to hear His voice or see Him in creation or in the situations of our life. So, now is the time to look at your life and ask God what should go and what should stay. God will give you peace about those things to keep in your schedule. When we continue in “busy-ness”, we pass that lifestyle on to our children. Show them that your spare time is a wonderful time to spend communicating with God so that they will want to follow in your footsteps.
     Now is the time! Don’t put it off any longer! Put God first, use your time wisely and see what God does in your life! You will not be disappointed!