We live in a time where it seems like so many things require so much from us. We are supposed to be one of the most "connected" generations that has ever lived. But doesn't it feel like we are semi connected to a ton of things instead of really connected to the things that matter some times?
This morning I could really feel God saying to be careful to the things that we give ourselves away too. There are things that come along in life that can just suck up all of our time or energy, but for what? Something new that I started really doing this year was taking an "inventory" every so often of the things that have my time and attention. It's something that has to be done at least once a month because I've found that as soon as I clear some things out of the way that are taking up to much of my time, something else will come along and just fill the spot I've cleared. And it has been very important for me to take those things to God and ask Him "does this add value to my relationship with you, or even my own life?". Even being careful not to just say yes to every person that comes along and asks for my help with this or that. I'm wise enough to know that as much as God wants my time...so does the enemy. The more the enemy can keep me "busy" the less time I have to be doing what God wants me to do. And even when I don't know the exact direction of my life, I have found that as long as I keep taking things to God I can stay at peace and stay confident that I am moving in the right direction. It's when I start feeling that everything is fighting for my time and attention that I step back and say "Is this how God would want my time being spent? Would He want every hour of my day full and scheduled?" I honestly don't think God does. I think first that He definitely wants us to leave time available to spend with Him, even when He spontaneously calls (which does happen). And second I think He wants us leaving time open for a divine appointment that He might have for us. For example, if I am always in a rush to be at the next thing, then how many times am I walking or driving right past a situation (or an opportunity) to help someone in need? I know for fact that there have been times that I've wanted to stop and help someone, but due to needing to be somewhere else I have let the thought go through my head of "someone else will help them, I really can't right now". And when that happens I can't help but feel that I possibly just missed an appointment that God had set up for me.
I'm not writing today with some biblical principle about how you are to spend your time, but I am saying however it is being spent, you should ask God if He is happy about it. Even if you can justify that everything you spend your time doing is all for good, it still might not be leaving time for Him to guide you and direct you because you're already to "booked up". Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about there being a time for everything, so please be careful not to be filling your time up so much that God can't show you what things He has for you in this time of your life.
Take time today to look at your schedule, your daily planner or even your calendar for the next couple of months and ask God if He is pleased with how your spending your time. Have you left room for Him to reroute you today if He desires to? Could He get you to go out of your way to have a divine appointment today, or would you go right past it because you are on way to something else? Let us all try to apply Proverbs 16:9 to our lives today as we "plan our way, but leave room for Him to establish our steps".
God, Thank You for the gift of time. Every moment of every hour of every day is a gift from You. Please help us to always give our time back to You and use it in a way that pleases You. Help us to have a heart that is willing to drop our schedule when You call and either spend time with You, or allow You to change our plans so don't miss the most important appointments in our life....the ones that you have set up. In Jesus name, Amen
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