Discipline and the book of God

"I don't want you to blog right now, I want you to snuggle." - Lauren Heile

The above was said by my wife last night, as I was quickly writing down some topics for future blogs I wanted to write. It was a 'get things done' night, and she felt a bit neglected, rightly I might add. I had been getting myself organized and thought through and my work set in front of me to make sure that I was on the ball for stuff this week. She, however, had been working hard to serve me all day while I was at work and wanted to spend time together.

Let me relate this experience to two points of application as concerns our spiritual disciplines.

Every moment of time is a choice. What will you use it for? We face this decision constantly. But let us evaluate how we have used the time. When we really look, we often see just how much time we actually waste. But amidst all of that wasted time, how much time have you given to the things that we would all say are most important? How much of your time do you spend in fellowship with the Savior? Are you having a short ten-minute quiet time? That is a good start, but let us put childish things away and become men. We need to spend significant time with our Savior. It is our arrogance to neglect this wonderful opportunity of getting to speak to and listen from the infinite God! The Word has been given to us, it has come close, it is at our hands! And yet, what use do we make of it?

I realize this is a topic that can often lead to condemnation, and that isn't my aim. I want repentance! I want change, I want correction in this area, both for myself and others. I want us to quit turning to TV or facebook or sports for our fulfillment. I want to find my joy in the words spoken to me in the book written to me by the eternal God. That is the first point, spend time with this God.


My second point is about planning. I had a devotion most days of the week this past week. Congrats, self. Thanks. But let me show you my error here. I didn't plan out when I would have my devotion and think through my time. So I slept in during the morning, and used time in the afternoon to have my devotion. This was near the end of my day, when I wouldn't have much chance to apply, and at the expense of time spent with my wife. I lacked in that I didn't plan out beforehand what I would do. I left my devotion up to my whims and the currents of busyness during the day. It was by grace from God and my wife that I had my devotions this past week. Some weeks are like this, just tough and busy. But most need to be planned. We need to make our time with the Savior a priority, and this requires planning.

For more on time management, this series of posts from CJ Mahaney is well worth your time and will serve you as you seek to use your time to the most for God's glory.

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Biblical-Productivity-Series-PDF.aspx


Finally, let me end with this from Psalm 73.

28But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. (ESV)

*Take note, that I put down my computer and repented for my neglect. I am writing this the next morning.