SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                              1017

“Investing Time”

 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)

We all have a finite amount of time. It cannot be recycled, accumulated, or saved for the future. Like water under the bridge it is here for the moment, and then it is gone.  Each moment of time we have is precious and should not be wasted.

It has been said that, ‘Time is the currency of relationships. If you want to invest into your relationships, start by investing your time.’

Jesus is the perfect example for us when it comes to investing time. From an early age Jesus sought a closer relationship with God and was found in the temple learning from the teachers. And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

During His ministry, Jesus ‘walked with God’ always attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit.    …believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father. (John 10:38)

Although fully man and fully God, Jesus knew the value and necessity to unplug from the daily grind and get away for quality time conversing with God in prayer. This was His practice before making major decisions such as choosing the twelve apostles. In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. (Luke 6:12-13)

How well do we as followers of Christ live up to His example and invest our time wisely to have a closer relationship with God and our fellow man as well as fulfilling His purpose and calling for our life on earth?

The information technology and social media explosion has interconnected us in a manner never before seen in society. Yet it seems that such technological interconnectedness has worked instead to diminish the depth of interpersonal relationships between individuals and families. Allowing technology to interrupt us continually works to keep us distracted and off balance. We become unable to maintain focused conversations where we actively listen and understand others thereby building in-depth personal relationships. These distractions reduce productivity in our work and most importantly they interfere with our prayer life – our quality time conversing with God.

So what are we to do? First, learn to be the master of technology and not a slave to it. Learn to unplug and control interruptions. Leave the devices at home or in the car when at church. Use the ‘Do Not Disturb’ function when meeting and conversing with others. Shut them off if you have to when in prayer. Just as your tithes are the first fruits and holy to the Lord, so should your time in prayer be a first fruit offering to God at the start of each day.

Maintain ‘God awareness’ always, whether at work, recreation, or at home. This will promote a lifestyle of praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and you will strengthen your spiritual attunement with God and His purpose and plan for you.

May you worship God by investing all your time wisely for His kingdom and for His Glory.