Spending Time

“Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.” Psalm 5:8 NLT

“Life is wonderful, when your life is in His hands and care.”

My thoughts today are about “spending time.”

Are you spending too much time feeling lost and overwhelmed, feeling like more was against you than for you? You should read the Psalms, especially Psalm 5. David felt that way, the way you may be feeling right now. It may be your job – difficult; it may be your finances – stretched; it might be a relationship – strained; it may be a problem – distressing; it might be a decision – complicated; it may be a crisis – urgent; you may be at a crossroads – unclear. Whatever that is, it is important to you and of concern. That means it is important to God because you are important to God. He wants you to “cast all your care on Him because He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV.

Life is wonderful, when your life is in His hands and care, but life is not always simple or easy. Everyday life can be demanding. Some days the path going forward is plain. But there are other days and situations when the next step seems shrouded in questions and uncertainty.

Here’s the usual options. You can just guess and move forward anyway. Don’t some say any decision is better than no decision? Occasionally maybe, but not usually. That’s quite a gamble really. You can stay paralyzed right where you are and go nowhere, but that’s not much of a solution. You can add up all the facts, laboriously laying out the pros and cons only to conclude that they don’t add up after all. You certainly should seek respected advice and valued experience.

Missing anything? Let me advise that you pour your heart out to God, sincerely and humbly. “O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.” Read Psalm 130:1-2 NIV. Don’t tell Him your answers, or non-answers; be real about your questions. He can handle them. “Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.” Psalm 5:8 NLT. That’s an invitation He loves.

Now here’s the important part: listen! That’s where and when David found his answers. “Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand.” Psalm 40:6 NLT.

Here’s how you learn to listen. Spend time in prayer and meditation of Scripture. Read Psalm 1:1-3 NIV. Meditate on eternal truth, not your present read of what appears as facts. It is not always the quantity of time. But it is always the quality of time you spend with God, but time is certainly an element of quality. God doesn’t answer by Facebook and Twitter. What God has to say is important enough to spend whatever time is necessary to hear and understand His voice.

Don’t you think it interesting that people talk about “spending” time? Time is a commodity, one to be used wisely for things that truly matter. It is wisdom, not wealth or want, that makes time valuable. You can spend it for something worthwhile in return. You can invest it in family and friends, planning for your future well-being, spiritual growth of yourself and others, and serving God in practical and helpful ways.

Time is also something too often wasted, too soon gone, with too little to show for it. You can’t know how much will be given to you in your lifetime, but everyone has the same 24 hours each day – no more, no less. Use every minute usefully, and make sure enough of those are spent with God in His presence and Word. Spend time where you will find the answers you need, the clarity you seek, and the direction you lack. Read what David found there. Psalm 5:11-12 NIV.

My prayer for you today is: spend your time where you find God’s will and blessing.