It is true that life is very distracting. We live in a very fast-paced world. Everyone has somewhere to be and no time to waste. I get up every morning and tend to my children, and then there's attempting to get some exercise in, tending to the household chores, and completing school work. Some days I also have appointments to get to and errands to run. When my husband is home I also need to spend some time with him or our marriage will suffer. I also need to spend some fun time with my children, or we will all go a little bit more crazy. I enjoy my time with my children.
The devil likes to creep into my mind and into my routine, and he enjoys keeping me on the path of being too busy. I'm tending to everyone and everything around me, but I neglect my spirit and the Father who created it. I'm learning to take time out everyday and avoid the devils agenda. I am working on a "read your Bible through in a year" plan, and so I've been reading my Bible every day, highlighting scripture and annotating as I go. I also read a devotional for women. I pray as often as I can for as much as I can; in the morning, before I eat, before I read the Bible, before I sleep, with my daughter, for my friends and family, for my church, for people I read about in the news, etc. etc. I have also gotten into the habit of meditating for at least a few minutes everyday on the same scriptures I have read on that particular day. I strive to have an active conversation with the Lord; praying equals talking, and meditating equals listening.
When I take the time to do these things, my spirit is enlightened. My whole day is brightened, and my heart swells with joy. Going to church and Bible study every week is important, but building your relationship with God doesn't depend solely on those things. It depends on many different things, just as your relationship with your partner, children, co-workers, family, and friends depends on a variety of things.
When you neglect spending time with the Lord, you are neglecting your very spirit. Your spirit needs time with the Lord, just as your body needs food, water, physical activity, and relaxation. And during troubling times, your spirit needs time with the Lord just as your body needs treatment during sickness or injury. When I am deep in my routine and regularly spending time with God, I smile as I think of how silly it is to place these important habits on the back burner. It is silly to think it is not a priority and it can wait; "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect" Matthew 24:44. It is silly, because it is not a stress inducing thing. It is something that heals, enlightens, and brings joy. It is something that will make your life better in every possible aspect. It is spending time with your Father in heaven, the same Father who gave up His only begotten Son so that you may be saved. A clean and holy Jesus, bore your sins on that cross. The least we can do is spend time with Him and get to know Him. I do not know about you, but I thoroughly enjoy spending time with He who blesses me.
The devil likes to creep into my mind and into my routine, and he enjoys keeping me on the path of being too busy. I'm tending to everyone and everything around me, but I neglect my spirit and the Father who created it. I'm learning to take time out everyday and avoid the devils agenda. I am working on a "read your Bible through in a year" plan, and so I've been reading my Bible every day, highlighting scripture and annotating as I go. I also read a devotional for women. I pray as often as I can for as much as I can; in the morning, before I eat, before I read the Bible, before I sleep, with my daughter, for my friends and family, for my church, for people I read about in the news, etc. etc. I have also gotten into the habit of meditating for at least a few minutes everyday on the same scriptures I have read on that particular day. I strive to have an active conversation with the Lord; praying equals talking, and meditating equals listening.
When I take the time to do these things, my spirit is enlightened. My whole day is brightened, and my heart swells with joy. Going to church and Bible study every week is important, but building your relationship with God doesn't depend solely on those things. It depends on many different things, just as your relationship with your partner, children, co-workers, family, and friends depends on a variety of things.
When you neglect spending time with the Lord, you are neglecting your very spirit. Your spirit needs time with the Lord, just as your body needs food, water, physical activity, and relaxation. And during troubling times, your spirit needs time with the Lord just as your body needs treatment during sickness or injury. When I am deep in my routine and regularly spending time with God, I smile as I think of how silly it is to place these important habits on the back burner. It is silly to think it is not a priority and it can wait; "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect" Matthew 24:44. It is silly, because it is not a stress inducing thing. It is something that heals, enlightens, and brings joy. It is something that will make your life better in every possible aspect. It is spending time with your Father in heaven, the same Father who gave up His only begotten Son so that you may be saved. A clean and holy Jesus, bore your sins on that cross. The least we can do is spend time with Him and get to know Him. I do not know about you, but I thoroughly enjoy spending time with He who blesses me.