Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
1st Chronicles 16:10-11 NKJV
At one time or another, for whatever reason, everyone reaches a point where they need a break. We can all relate to that. I read something today that struck me to the core in relation to 'needing a break'. It's from Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge; he wrote "The greatest lie satan attacks me with is, 'You deserve a break today!'"
[my examples] You deserve a break like sleeping in an extra hour instead of getting up for your quiet time. You deserve a break from journaling because it "takes time" and you need a break to not have to think after a stressful day or a long work week or whatever the case may be.
Bob writes "...as though time away from the [Lord] is a break! It's not a break; it's a loss."
He goes on to explain that loss, "You missed drinking deeply of the Spirit's fountain; you missed being washed and cleansed and renewed in His presence; you missed getting fed by the illumination of God's word; you missed taking the time to calm your hectic heart and hear His precious voice... You was robbed!" [end quote]
Any time spent with God is life-giving (and life changing) whether it's 15 seconds or 15 minutes or an hour or hours. I know I can't do anything apart from God, let alone anything well. I can't love. I can't work. I can't create. The Truth of the matter is that the time I spend with God - ANY time I spend with God - is never wasted. Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, when Martha demanded Mary's help, I find that I don't ever feel guilty about the time I spend with God. It is the one thing that is needful (Luke 10:42). But I have felt guilty about time I've wasted elsewhere...
We all like to focus on the harvest of seeds we've planted. Time is no different. If you sow time to God, you will reap time - a clearer mind to complete tasks quickly. Time to spend with your loved ones. What will bring the greater harvest of good - an hour with Facebook or an hour with God? We all want bumper crops and ask God to bless us... but what are we sowing? Do we really want a bumper crop of THAT? If you've known me for very long, you know I like to collect quotes. One I read recently is from A.W. Tozer, a great Christian pastor, "If a man wants to be used by God, he cannot spend all of his time with people." Need a break?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You that You always have the time - that You literally make the time so we can have time with You. Change our perspective on our quiet time from duty to delight - from 'I've got to...' to 'I get to!' Forgive us for buying into the lie of the enemy of our souls. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
He goes on to explain that loss, "You missed drinking deeply of the Spirit's fountain; you missed being washed and cleansed and renewed in His presence; you missed getting fed by the illumination of God's word; you missed taking the time to calm your hectic heart and hear His precious voice... You was robbed!" [end quote]
Any time spent with God is life-giving (and life changing) whether it's 15 seconds or 15 minutes or an hour or hours. I know I can't do anything apart from God, let alone anything well. I can't love. I can't work. I can't create. The Truth of the matter is that the time I spend with God - ANY time I spend with God - is never wasted. Like Mary at the feet of Jesus, when Martha demanded Mary's help, I find that I don't ever feel guilty about the time I spend with God. It is the one thing that is needful (Luke 10:42). But I have felt guilty about time I've wasted elsewhere...
We all like to focus on the harvest of seeds we've planted. Time is no different. If you sow time to God, you will reap time - a clearer mind to complete tasks quickly. Time to spend with your loved ones. What will bring the greater harvest of good - an hour with Facebook or an hour with God? We all want bumper crops and ask God to bless us... but what are we sowing? Do we really want a bumper crop of THAT? If you've known me for very long, you know I like to collect quotes. One I read recently is from A.W. Tozer, a great Christian pastor, "If a man wants to be used by God, he cannot spend all of his time with people." Need a break?
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You that You always have the time - that You literally make the time so we can have time with You. Change our perspective on our quiet time from duty to delight - from 'I've got to...' to 'I get to!' Forgive us for buying into the lie of the enemy of our souls. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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