Another school year
has started, another season has begun. Many
of us sit and wonder how our kids are yet another year older, or we ask: how
far removed am I from high school again?
Time never stops; we know and experience this. Yet as it is passing, we often forget how
precious the moments God has given us actually are.
“Teach
us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
- Psalm 90:12
Not only should we number our days, but we should number our
hours and minutes. I will never get back
the half an hour I spent scrolling on Facebook this morning. The countless hours I have spent managing my
fantasy football teams (yes teams)
are gone. Are TV, Facebook or the rest of what waits on the
world wide web evil? Of course not. Can we use them in unwise ways? Of course!
The apostle Paul understood the value of our time as he wrote, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as
unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are
evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
(Ephesians 5:15-17).
I am not perfect by any means, but one thing I think I have
figured out: We shouldn’t waste lots of time trying to figure out God’s will. WAIT! I
can’t say that – I’m a pastor. Well, let
me explain: there are a couple of things that are always God’s will and never
a waste of time.
· Spending time with God (1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 4:11-16). Praying and reading Scripture
allow us to get to know God more deeply, and as we do we’ll trust Him and
follow Him more closely. It’s always
a good thing. I can’t think of one time
I regretted spending time with God alone or with His people (the church).
· Investing in people (Mt. 28:19; 25:40). We have a mission to make disciples of Jesus.
It’s always worth it. I can’t think of one time I wrote a note,
prayed for someone or set aside time to meet with someone and regretted it.
What activities should we be spending our time on? I don’t know for sure. I simply pray that I enjoy the time God has given me, and I take
advantage of the moments in front of me thinking through this simple lens more
often.
*Some ideas are from Spiritual Caffeine by Jennifer at Cadre
Ministries.
