Often times Christians don't get into the word or find a good devotional to start due to the lack of time in their day. They may say a prayer to two throughout the day, but they may not be setting aside "prayer time" in their day. I know this because I have had several people tell me they struggle with this, and I too have found myself in that place. We have a tendency to let the things of life take up the time that really should belong to God. And the bad part is, not only are we not giving Him the time that He is worthy of, but we are missing out on what God would like to show us during these times too.
Last week I got invited to do something that I have never done...and that was to run in a 5k. As much as it sounds fun, I also know it is going to be a challenge to do it. Not because 5k is a huge distance to run, but because I am not a "runner". In fact, the last time I really ran was in 2012. So to say that it's been a while isn't exaggerating at all! And to top it all off, the run was in 1 week. So I decided that I'd better spend the next 6 days running so I can be "somewhat" ready for this. As I laid out a plan of what I was going to do I realized that all I can do is take these 6 days and try to build my way up to 3 miles before the day of the race. So I set out to try and build up a little bit of endurance. And that is what I have been doing the past few days....and it hasn't been easy.
I was driving to work today thinking about this run. And the one thing that was stuck in my mind was how much easier this would be if I was just somewhat of a runner. Even if I ran some on a weekly routine it would be better than not running at all, and then trying to go run a 5k. However, because God always finds fun and interesting ways to speak to me, as I thought about this run, I also felt Him saying "this is what people do with me all the time Chad. They do nothing.....no time in My Word, no time in devotionals, no real time in prayer....then life throws something unexpected at them and they find themselves unprepared." The time we spend reading the word, doing devotionals and praying is like prepping for a race. It not only is good for you in the moment (like running), but it is building something up in you for later. And God knows this, that's why He wants us setting aside time to be with Him. But instead, sometimes we get into a situation we didn't expect and find ourselves crying out to Him for help. Much like this race....It would be pretty foolish of me to show up the day of the 5k and think that without any preparation at all, this was going to be easy. No it won't.....And neither will be getting through the tough days, weeks or even seasons of our life if we are not preparing for them.
Reading God's word, doing devotionals and prayer time all build up our inner man. And when we do this it gives us something to reach in and pull out when we find ourselves struck with the unexpected. Don't wait until that day to begin to "really" pray to God. Don't wait until that day to reach for your bible to see what it has to say about what your facing. And don't wait for that day to search for answers...because you're not prepared, and you don't have them. Set aside time to soak up Godly wisdom on a daily basis and let Him pour His strength into you, His knowledge into you and His love into you. Because I can guarantee that we will have to face a day when we will need it. And if you have spent the right kind of time with God, you will be glad it's there.
God, have your Holy Spirit show us where we need to free up time in our life to spend with You. Show us the void that is in our lives because we are not filling it with Your word. And help us be discipline enough to carve out the time, and then let YOU fill it as you see fit. Help us set aside all distractions and devote this time to You so we can soak in all you have for us, and we can spend time praising and thanking you. In Jesus name, Amen
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