Making Time for God
Why is making time for God so difficult? It is a challenge to spend even ten minutes alone with Him without distracting thoughts, children needing our immediate attention, or activities we deem as urgent.
In reading my devotion for the day, it suggested Hebrews 11 for further study. I was in my office with my devotional book; my Bible was in the kitchen. The timeline of events for completing my Bible reading went exactly like this: I walked from the office into the kitchen to get my Bible. There in the middle of the kitchen floor was the baby lizard that took up residence when the plants were brought in during hurricane Irma. Here was my chance to catch it! I was able to plop a solo cup over this inch and a half long creature. Then I went back to the office to get a piece of paper to slide under the cup so I could lift it up, with the lizard inside. I opened the door to the porch, and then the screen door, to release him into the “wild”. My basil plant looked a little wilted, which led to watering all the plants on the porch. Next, forgetting my task to read my Bible, I unloaded the dryer, and folded and put the clothes away. Upon returning to the kitchen I saw the Bible on the counter and remembered—Hebrews 11.
On top of my Bible laid a recent letter from Samaritan’s Purse requesting relief funds for hurricane victims. I carried both the Bible and the letter back to the office to do my reading. But wait! First, I wanted to write the check my husband and I had agreed upon for the relief funds. Where was the checkbook? It had been moved along with other important documents before Irma. The search was on to find my rarely used checkbook.
Once found, I discovered the last check in the batch had been written, causing a hunt for the new checks that were ordered. I went to the cabinet where the checks are kept but did not see the expected box. After looking in a few other spots, I went back to the cabinet where the checks are stored. Aw, yes! The checks were spotted. The packaging had changed from a box (used for the last 35 years) to a portfolio style format, which was thin and new to my searching eye. Now, I could complete the task of writing and enclosing the check in the envelope.
Finally, I was ready to read Hebrews 11.
The time that lapsed between reading the devotion and reading the accompanying passage was easily 30 minutes. One distraction after another kept me from the most important part of my day.
Some might look at this and see signs of ADHD, others an indication of mistaken priorities. Many are thinking, “try it with children who need your attention”! All these observations have merit.
The good news is that God was waiting patiently for me to return. It saddens me to think I made Him wait, but it fills me with joy to know that He did.
Chapter eleven of Hebrews is familiar to many, known to highlight the faith of Old Testament characters. “By faith” is a phrase repeated in telling the story of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab. Others are listed as faithful followers of the promise to come. Some conquered kingdoms and “shut the mouths of lions”, while others were tortured and imprisoned.
Verse six of this chapter states, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”. One version says, “who diligently seek Him”. We believe that “He is”. Do we seek Him? The amazing part of seeking God, is His promise to be found. “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”.
Let this reality sink in and let it be the impetuous to run to Him. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The message could not be any clearer. We come to know Him more through the reading of His Word. And in knowing Him more, our faith is increased. This is a glorious truth to ponder.
How important is Bible reading? Is anything more important? We all get caught up in the day to day, often mundane tasks of life. God is there with us in those tasks, so I am not suggesting that not reading your Bible eliminates God from your thoughts or your activities. Rather, let today be a fresh reminder to put aside those things that seem urgent, for what is most important.
Regardless of how long it’s been since you have sat with God and His Word, I encourage you to make time for Him today. Seek Him first. If you are growing in faith, and have been refreshed in His presence, your comments will encourage others. Please share your story below.