Meet With God First
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
–
Luke 5:16
The text message alert went off. Again. I have increasingly
learned to cringe at the sound. I wanted to ignore it but I was expecting
someone to alert me before they stopped by to pick something up.
That wasn’t the text. Instead it was someone dear who
was bored and ready to have a “conversation.” Oh, how I hate that.
I spend my days working. I know that shocks some
people. They assume if you aren’t punching a time clock or sitting at a desk
somewhere, then you aren’t really working. You’ve got plenty of time for them.
You’ve got time to text and talk and run their errands.
I have tried to be accommodating. I learned with
elderly parents that my days rarely go as I planned. (God means it when He says
He will determine our steps!) But it’s not okay to assume that someone who is
self-employed is always available to you.
A sweet lady who volunteers at the church office
commented on this recently. She wanted to know if since I worked from home did I
ever stopped working. I laughed and explained that I try to end about 8:30 each
night. And, no, I don’t sleep late. I get up earlier than many friends who must
drive to their jobs.
My one gift to myself is the quiet time I spend with
God. It’s one of the first things I do every morning. It matters more than
anything because it is what gives me the strength and guidance to make it
through the day.
Sometimes it seems selfish to claim this time. I
certainly have plenty of things to do. The list never ends and I never get
caught up with it all. Then I remind myself that Jesus also took time to spend
alone with the Father. If He needed it, how much more do it?
It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life.
There are always people demanding our attention. Sometimes we have to rearrange
things. A baby must be cared for so we get up earlier or sit down when the baby
naps. But when it’s important – and alone time with God is THE most important
thing – then we find a way to make it happen.
You don’t agree? Do you find time to eat each day? Do
you make time for watching television? Do you talk to your friends or go out to
eat? We make time for the things we find valuable. How much do you value
spending time with God?
For many of us there will never be enough hours in the
day. There will always be people who think their needs or wishes should be at
the top of our list of things to do. There will be people who steal our time,
our peace, our joy.
I have drawn a line, invisible though it may be. I am
no longer always available to people. Some aren’t too happy about it. It’s not
my job in life to make them happy. I am nice but firm. My days are directed by
God, not them.
I am so very grateful that God shows up to meet with
me every morning. The creator of the universe actually wants to have a
conversation with me. How awesome is that!
He wants to have a conversation with you too. What are
you waiting for? Schedule the time and do it. You’ll find yourself with more
energy, direction and joy as your day takes its course.
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