Where Can We Find the Time
"Where can we find the time?" is a common complaint. Technology seems to have pushed the fast forward button on the Ecclesiastes’ teaching, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (3:1). However, the master discourager, Satan, wants to prevent activities that strengthen our Christian faith. One way he does this is by keeping us “too busy.”
Busyness prevents unhurried, mindful confession of sins, and prohibits focused meditation on the wonder of forgiveness. Instead, our senses are flooded with things that demand our urgent attention. Advertising alone tempts us from every corner, media source and public place. People of all ages are bombarded with endless information and opportunities for entertainment, to distract us from the important.
The following passages are from my translation of the Bible, International Hurried Version. See if you can recall what the passage really says, before you look them up.
Come to me, all of you who are hurried and burned out, and I will give you a pat on the back. (Matthew 11:28)
Paul said, “I have learned to be busy and anxious, whatever the circumstance may be (because there’s always more work to get done).“ (Philippians 4:12)
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But he pursues commitments and busy schedules day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)
You ought to live busy and hectic lives as you look forward to the day of God. (2 Peter 3:11-12)
In the same way, let your attitudes of busyness shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and be motivated to imitate you. (Matthew 5:16)
Be distracted with many things, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
When our life’s refrain is “hurry,” we have less energy for service in God’s kingdom. If we have trained our mind and body to break our physical and emotional speed limits all week long, we find it nervously uneasy to sit quietly and hear God’s still, small voice in worship.
Even setting aside an uninterrupted 10 minutes a day to pray seems a difficult task for most. The person who wants to start a home devotion habit will need to be convinced of its importance, committed to making it a habit and concerned about spiritual needs. Even if you can’t do this daily, don’t give up on this priority.
The Creator of our earthly bodies implanted a need for rest. We need to ask for his wisdom as we daily choose life activities for our loved ones and ourselves. To assist decision-making, ask yourself two questions:
How and why do I choose to be busy?
What has priority in my life that doesn’t deserve such a high ranking?
When our busyness issue is placed under God’s control, we are able to appreciate the perfect rest found in Christ:
“There remains, then a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.”
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Read more from the e-book, Developing a Devoted Family: Reasons & Resources for Home Worship, by Susan L. Fink, available on Kindle and Amazon.