What do you prioritize in your life? What do you make time for? That's something that has been on my mind a lot lately, and I thank God that He has caused me to consider where my time is spent and how important it is to redeem the time that He's given us.
If you've kept watch, a lot of TIME has passed since I last posted a blog. I'm not really proud of that, because it hasn't been that the Lord hasn't blessed me. It's been because I haven't prioritized sharing what He's done or even giving adequate time to the Lord. It's not easy to make time for everything that life brings at you. I've been very busy lately, and some things in my life have caused me to reflect on my time, and how I can use it better.
I was able to go to the revival Bro. Darrell Johnson held in Sapulpa this past weekend. I really got a lot of good from the meeting, and the last message was the one that stood out to me the most. He talked about time, and how important it is to make time for the Lord. There are a lot of things we can spend our time in, and a lot of distractions that can inhibit our time with the Lord. But, we have to prioritize time with God or our lives will slip away. He talked a lot about how we don't know how much time we have left, so we need to redeem what time we are blessed with. Ephesians 5:15-16 says:
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
This verse is used a lot, but it really hit me. We only have a certain amount of time in a day. But each day is a fresh day, and that time can be used however we choose to spend it. We have to be careful of what things occupy our time and ensure that we give enough time for God to deal with us how He wants. The days are evil. Things can drag us down and get us distracted and sometimes in trouble. We are instructed to be watchful over that.
When I started college, I knew that I would be busy, but I didn't realize how much time it would take me to keep up with school and work. As a teenager, it's hard for me to immediately come to grips with managing work, school, and a relationship, so it takes a lot of God to keep me afloat. But what happens if I don't spend enough time with God? I'll sink. That's what God was trying to point out to me. If I allow my life to be so caught up and busy -- even if it's in lawful and profitable things -- but neglect my soul, I'll end up way worse than if I relaxed on some things and let God have control.
Bro. Darrell made the point that we will always have time for what we put first. I don't want a 50% relationship with God, so I have to put Him first ALWAYS. It's something that I have been thinking a lot about, and God sent a message at a perfect time for me to receive it. Isn't He good? I want to encourage anyone who is struggling with managing a busy schedule or just life in general... put God first. He is faithful to bless us when we are willing to make Him our first priority. The other things in life become easier to deal with.
God also showed me a verse, and I'm very thankful that he brought it out to me. It's in Colossians 1:19, and it says:
"For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell."
All fullness and fulfillment should be found in Christ. That is where our happiness and enthusiasm rests. Life is full only if lived in Christ. I pray that God will help me refocus my joy to live a life for Him above all else. I firmly believe that when we have our spiritual life taken care of, other parts of life will go more smoothly. We'll enjoy the good parts better and be able to handle the difficulties more easily. That's because our soul can be satisfied by an experience nothing on earth can replicate. We can have peace and assurance in knowing that our heart is fixed on God and that He is faithful to be with us.
I have a good life. God has blessed me tremendously. I don't want to neglect my spiritual experience or neglect to thank God for how He has been faithful to me. I pray that He'll help me to better prioritize the important things of life and realize that He'll help me deal with the rest if I put Him first.
And I hope I can continue to share the things God shows me along the way. It's an encouragement to me to express my feelings, and I hope it will bless and encourage you, too. So as always...
Keep encouraged!
