Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I am faced with what feels like 101 things to do. I wonder how I am going to do everything, be available to who needs me, spend time and be attentive to Jesus, teach the kids, get my work done, keep the house in some semblance of order, control the washing flowing out of my laundry, and then have time for me.
How do we make time? And how do we give time to what is really important, rather than to what seems urgent?
Most people if they are honest, really do want to have fruitful, meaningful lives. It’s just that life and all it’s “stuff” gets in the way, and our lives can end up feeling like a juggling act. As a result we wonder, “Am I wasting the time I have been given”, “What is it all about anyway?” Am I giving enough time to exploring and harnessing all that I am, or can be?” Is there more to me, to life, to God, to what I see now?
These are the conversations many of us regularly have with ourselves, and perhaps with God. Usually there is truth in these musings, because life essentially does travel by very fast. One year rolls into another, and we wonder where the time has gone. Yes, there is more to God than any of us have even considered, and Yes He does want to reveal deeper mysteries and wonders to us.
So the question is “What do we do?” “How do we not get caught in the “rat race” of life?” How do we make the most of our days, and do all that we need, and desire to do?
Jesus is known as the greatest leader and teacher the world has ever seen. So it goes to reason we should take the time to read and give thought to His words recorded in the bible. In Matthew Chapter 6, it tells of a day when a great multitude crowded around Jesus as he taught, eager to hear His words of life and the answers to these very questions we still find ourselves asking. He said, “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen colour and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:29-34)
“Seek me first, and my way of doing things”. (Matthew 6:33). When we seek Jesus first and foremost at the very beginning of our day; He promises it will all make sense. Because He is the one who can draw all those things within each one of us together, making our lives full, overflowing and meaningful. He says, “Seek Me first, in the morning, at the start of your day, and I will direct your steps.” He wants us to trust that He will perfect all that concerns us. To understand that there are seasons and transitions in life, but we don’t need to be stressed. Instead He says, “just relax and enjoy knowing Him, and the day He has given us”.
When we do that His life in us, and the things in our hearts will bubble up; our dreams and hopes will start to come to pass without all the struggle and striving. God wants us to, trust Him to complete what He has started in us. He doesn’t leave any masterpiece unfinished, for in His hands we are perfected!
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever (Psalm 138:8)
Make a habit of first thing in the morning, taking the time to seek Jesus, and His way of going about your day. He promises when we do, He will make everything make sense, and give us time for what is important, bringing meaning and fulfilment to our lives.
Prayer: Lord please help me to remember to spend time with, and consult you as I start my day. You promise when I do, that you will direct and guide my steps, adding good things to my life and causing me to live a life of purpose and meaning. Thank you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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