We live in a busy society. Schedules full of activities and meetings. Agendas that have to be met. Deadlines for projects that have got to be finished be a certain time. Students have homework that has to be done and finals to study. Kids have soccer, baseball, tennis, and numerous other activities. When society gets a break they spend time the movies, ballpark, golfing, and other hobbies.
Do we schedule time for God? Do we make God a priorities in our busy lives? Do we stop long enough to pray? Do we slow down to read and meditate upon his word? Even as minister in preparing for sermons do we stop to just read for our own personal growth? The average time most Christians make for God during the week is 1 hour a week to God. About the length of a show on television. Jesus shows us countless times as he retreats to the mountian to spend time alone with God that it is important slow down, retreat, to make time for God. It is important for us to as Christians to not too busy for God.
A great book I recommend is "Too Busy Not To Pray" by Bill Hybels.
1 Year Bible
Share your thoughts.
What do you think?
Great point. I think the problem is directly related to how much we are conformed to the world around us. We are soaking up the materialistic, humanistic, self-centered lifestyle of our culture.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand I say yes and the other no. I think we push God out of our lives by filling it with activities and noise. On the other hand I think there too much emphasis on having a segmented life where God fits into a particular time. Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" illustrates that in all things we pray without ceasing. I am not suggesting we should not take time out of our business to have specifically devoted "God-time" but I am suggesting that our awareness of God during our day can be just as uplifting and spiritually formative. Thanks for the post and thought provoking question.
ReplyDelete~JK
I'm reminded of Mary & Martha. Sometimes we can even get too busy doing the work for Christ that we forget to spend time with him.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew the source of this quote... I could probably find it if I didn't have to paraphrase it:
ReplyDelete"Everyone should spend a half hour every day in prayer... unless they don't have the time. Then they need to spend an hour."
We live in a fast and efficient society that prides itself on getting things done quick.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we rush through our moments with God just like the more mundane things in our lives. If we have to schedule time for God, we are already in trouble.
When we truly become eternity focused beings I believe God will be our top priority and everyone will know it.
ReplyDeletePeace
neva
Hello Kinney,
ReplyDeleteI have a preacher friend in India and he tells me things about his life and work. I can see the difference in how his life really truly revolves around God. He fasts every Friday and they often have prayer and worship meetings (not just on Sundays). His emails to me are filled with praises to God and wishes and prayers of blessings to me and my family. It doesn't seem like he stops what he is doing to make time for God. It seems that all his time is for God. It is very humbling to talk to him and really opens my eyes to how we should also be in our busy life. Thanks for bringing this up. It will help us to maybe pause and pray to our Creator.
Jennifer Hinds
Hey Kinney,
ReplyDeleteLearning to say "NO" is so difficult.
If we really trust that God has certain good works laid out in advance for us, and other good works laid out for others, and...
If we let Him transform us like Romans 12 teaches, and...
If we will dedicate time like we would for anyone else we love...
We will get to know God a lot better, which will teach us when to say yes and when to trust God to get his will accomplished without our help. A living, vibrant congregation can often overwhelm undisciplined and good-intentioned believers with a bewildering array of programs, plans, and functions. You feel guilty for not participating in a lot of things, and so you neglect your own intimate life with God until you break down from Christian Fatigue Syndrome.
Doing too much is as dangerous as doing nothing.
in HIS love,
Nick
I appreciate everyones comments and adding to the discussion. Each and everyone of you make excelllent points that God should be such a central part of our daily lives in every aspect. May we all pray that we can take time whether it be at the start or close of day to spend time in his word and real time in prayer with hime. Let is remember that we are Christians everywhere we go.
ReplyDeleteAgain thanks everyone for adding to this important topic and remember that each and evewryone of us can make a differnce in the world around us. Amen!
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteIt was such a great suprise to see you stopping by and I am glad you are reading. You are welcome to comment anytime. I hope you have a great weekend.
The beauty of life is that it is a constant prayer. I remember when a wise monk told me to pull weeds and focus all my attention on the task. I noticed the feel of the soil, the magnificence of each young leaf and the warmth of the sun falling across my hand. God's presence was so poignant and this short experience has helped me to see the holiness of each moment.
ReplyDeleteGreat point. I think the problem is directly related to how much we are conformed to the world around us. We are soaking up the materialistic, humanistic, self-centered lifestyle of our culture.
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