“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:5-16
Have we really become a one moment away generation... One moment away from a mental, physical and spiritual breakdown. What consumes your thoughts? What are the important things in life?
"a few years ago, the Southern Baptist Convention’s LeaderCare program reported that it received about 1,400 calls each year from pastors needing counseling regarding their ministries. Sadly, according to various reports, many pastors call it quits each month because of burnout or exhaustion or a sense of failure."
We understand the need for "maintenance" in regards to our precious homes, appliances, computers, iPods, makeup, haircare, kids appts, restocking the fridge and so on....Can we say the same to be true in our marriages, relationships,discipleship, disciplining of our children, but possibly the most forgotten our time with God?
We give of ourselves to everything not edifying to the Holy Spirit. Being "established" is the goal filled with selfish desires. Hoping to be a person known for something when God longs for us to know Him intimately but we give Him nothing.
Challenge yourself to a specific time to pray and read EVERYDAY. Let us no longer continue to go through life with normal daily routines, not anticipating God to remove selfishness, idolatry, lusts, anxieties and discontentment within our hearts!
We must examine our lives. As Mommy's we sometimes feel that we don't have time to read or pray...We feel that the kids need our undivided attention throughout the day. We say to ourselves " I'm not a good Mother if I don't have an overly planned day for them." Not so! Ask yourself this: "Is having an overwhelmed fruitless Mommy better then having a Mommy who is JOYFUL and PEACEFUL throughout the day filled with contentment?" Refueling our bodies through God's word and prayer is more as important as our daily food intake!
Food for thought this week: Read the bible aloud with your kids every morning. They may not understand everything right now but you can explain it to them through child appropriate analogies. They will value that time with you and remember it as part of their childhood. Even better a new family tradition!!!
Consider this:
“Suppose you read slowly like I do--maybe about the same speed that you speak--200 words a minute. If you read fifteen minutes a day for one year (say just before supper, or just before bed), you will read 5,475 minutes in the year. Multiply that by 200 words a minute, and you get 1,095,000 words that you would read in a year. Now an average serious book might have about 360 words per page. So you would have read 3,041 pages in one year. That’s ten very substantial books. All in fifteen minutes a day.”(When I Don't Desire God, p. 129)
I don't know about you but everything else can just WAIT! What will you choose to do today the clock won't wait it's ticking....tick...tock...tick...tock..
My Prayer:
John 17:17
Sanctify them by your truth your word is truth!
Amen
