Too Much Time On My Hands

You were wearied with the length of your way in trying to find rest and satisfaction in alliance apart from the true God, yet you did not say, there is no result or profit.  Isaiah 57:10

We have a close friend who always seems to complain about not having enough time to do all that they want to do.  I am occasionally guilty of feeling that way too, especially when there are deadlines to meet and not enough hours in the day.  

It's not that we don't have enough time, it's just that our simple lives have become too complex in doing trivial things that eat away at our schedules.  How or when does life move away from being simple to something so complex?  I believe that it is relative to where we are in our journey.

I remember thinking how stressful my life was during college; having to balance showing up for class in between Phish and Widespread Panic shows, going out four and five nights a week, waiting tables, and working as a disc jockey.  (Looking back, I really had it made!)  I didn't have the pressures of performing at work and a family to support.  Then again, I wasn't exactly walking the straight and narrow path either, but that's another story for another day.

The above verse from Isaiah states "You are wearied out through the multiplicity of your ways."   It is widely accepted in today's society that more is always better, but at what cost?  Are we truly following God's will for our lives when we are so busy filling our days with our self-centered agendas and schedules?  I believe the answer is a resounding "NO."

Instead of making everything difficult and centered around ourselves, we should simplify and enjoy the peace and satisfaction that comes from following God's plan for our lives. 

"Fear, mismanaged, leads to sin. Sin leads to hiding. Since we've all sinned, we all hide, not in bushes, but in eighty-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness.  We avoid contact with God." -Max Lucado

Slow Down

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you...many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.  Psalm 32:8; 10

I ran into the supermarket the other day and noticed the front of the store was covered in Valentine's day merchandise and it made me realize that another holiday is quickly approaching. The flowers and cards made me ponder this question, "where has all of the time gone?"  It feels like it was just yesterday that we were celebrating Christmas and now Valentine's day is this Friday??? Whoa-we have neighbors that still have their Christmas decorations up in our subdivision!

Something that we can easily forget to do when we become so 'busy' with the demands of each day is to forget to spend time with our loving Father.  It's a shame, and I am certainly guilty as charged, but just like any good relationship, we must give God time every day if we ever want to deepen our walk of faith.

Ponder this for a moment...God is omnipotent, right?  So, if we are to slow down and spend adequate time with Him, wouldn't He also have the ability to slow time down for us?  I believe that He can and will help us to accomplish more in less time if we are willing to engage in something that He loves so much-just spending time with Him-the Creator of the Universe.

Look at your daily schedule and make more time for God-He is more important than the meaningless things that seem to occupy the majority of our time every day!

Precious and Few

Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow within him.  John 7:38

Time is such a precious commodity. Our weekends are normally filled with trying to get chores done around the house, birthday parties, visiting with friends and family, church, Life Group, and multiple trips to either the grocery store or a restaurant. With such an action packed schedule, it can sometimes be hard to find some down time, let alone, quiet time spent with our loving Father.

As weird as it may sound, some of the only waking moments I have to myself are either spent jogging or swimming in the early mornings, and it is during those times that I talk to God.

The truth is that those few moments I spend in conversation with God are the most important of every day. When we spend time with God, His blessings flow into our lives like the streams of living water mentioned in today's passage.

By making time every day to spend with God, we glorify Him by delighting in His presence. We must learn to enjoy Him now and forever!!

Too Much Time On My Hands

You were wearied with the length of your way in trying to find rest and satisfaction in alliance apart from the true God, yet you did not say, there is no result or profit.  Isaiah 57:10

We have a close friend who always seems to complain about not having enough time to do everything they want to do.  Boy, have I used that excuse many times before!?!  It's not that we don't have enough time, it's just that our simple lives have become too complex in doing trivial things that eat away at our schedules.  How or when does life move away from being simple to something so complex?  I believe that it is relative to where we are in our journey. 

I remember thinking how stressful my life was during college; having to balance showing up for class in between Phish and Widespread Panic shows, going out four and five nights a week, waiting tables, and working as a disc jockey.  Looking back, I really had it made!  I didn't have the pressures of performing in my career and a family to support.  Then again, I wasn't exactly walking the straight and narrow path either, but that's another story for another day.

The above verse from Isaiah states "You are wearied out through the multiplicity of your ways."   It is widely accepted in today's society that more is always better, but at what cost?  Are we truly following God's will for our lives when we are so busy filling our days with our self-centered agendas?  I believe the answer is a resounding "NO."

Instead of making everything difficult and centered around ourselves, we should simplify and enjoy the peace and satisfaction that comes from following God's plan for our lives.  

"Fear, mismanaged, leads to sin.  Sin leads to hiding.  Since we've all sinned, we all hide, not in bushes, but in eighty-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness.  We avoid contact with God." -Max Lucado