A Time to….
…so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2
If we spend it well, we reap rewards. If we waste it, we lose it.
We invest it in our sons and daughters, in our husbands, in our friends, in our work, in ministry and worship, and in our leisure. In each of these, the amount we invest determines the size of the return.
Time. It is a precious commodity.
I can get easily sidetracked, which feels like wasting time. I read, I play games, I find some little project that doesn’t “have” to get done right away, but I rationalize that it has to get done “sometime.”
When I come to my senses and realize I have been involved in something relatively meaningless, I end up spending more time being mad at myself for wasting the time. Thereby, I lose more time.
I remind myself that I have the Holy Spirit who gives me the ability to be self-controlled. I also rationalize that I don’t spend my evenings watching TV or doing other hobbies, so, maybe my diversions are just rest. Rest is good, right?
Idleness
I remember verses in the Bible about being “busy at home” and “admonish the idle.” These words remind me that idleness is not a good thing.
For today, I am going to be grateful that the Lord brings me back to reality when I get carried off in my thoughts or some meaningless activity. I can still get back to work on something I consider important (and hope that He does, too – consider it important, I mean).
It is easy for us to get so comfortable and complacent that we end up oblivious to what the Lord would have us do. If our days are being spent on social media and internet games, with little investment in relationships or Kingdom work, then we will answer for that before the Lord. This is an investment of time that we may be sorry for later.
From the prophet, Amos, “Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” Amos 6:4-6.
For the Kingdom of God
Most of us live so well that we fail to see the “ruin” around us. It’s there. A little investment of our time could go a long way in ministry for evangelism to the unsaved, to the widows and orphans, and even to the pre-born baby whose mother is considering abortion.
There are many ways to invest our time and talents for the Kingdom of God. Are we ready, willing, and able (with the Holy Spirit) to leave behind the distractions and seek a way to serve the Lord?…Until we need a rest – then, play away!