When was the last time you just sat in the Lord’s presence? The last time you turned off your gadgets, cleared your mind, and were just still before God?
In America, one of the enemy’s best strategies for getting me off track has been keeping me busy.
He kept me believing I couldn’t find time to have a devotion that’s rich in growth, if my day was already packed full.
Yeah I could do a quick 20 minute something, but if it only served to make me feel better about how I’m doing as a Christian, then something is really wrong. My quiet time should always bring intimacy.
He kept me believing I couldn’t find time to set aside for intentional prayer. The eternal busyness in our culture fills me with righteous anger.
The lack of time has never been my issue.
When God created our days to have 24 hours within them, He didn’t forget to include the 25th hour you needed to spend time with Him. I used to find myself thinking there wasn’t enough time in each day. I’ll tell you that I’ve never once had that thought on the race. I’m wondering why.
The lack of priority has always been my issue.
In reality, I don’t have to choose the job that runs from 8-5 if I can’t spend quality time with the Father and with family. I can own my own choices. I get to decide how I spend my time.
Here’s a question, what’s stopping you from waking up an hour or so early to start your day off super well with your Savior?
I’ll tell you that for me, it’s usually selfishness and laziness.
One thing I’ve felt God reminding me on the race is that He wants my devotion. He doesn’t need it, but yearns for it.
When I am devoted to something or someone, I give all I have to it. It’s on the forefront of my mind, and it has my loyalty and commitment.
If I am truly devoted to the Lord, I will give Him my first fruits. I’ll give Him intentional time to work in and through me, rather than giving Him the scrappy leftovers.
If I’m making Christ the center of my life, He will be priority every. single. time. I want to live my life to where if someone asks me to breakfast and I haven’t had my time with the Lord yet, I’ll be disciplined and say no or ask to go later on in the morning.
In my past 22 years I truly never remember a time without the Lord. A time when I didn’t know of His love and sacrifice for me. God has always been a significant part of my life, although some seasons a much bigger part than others.
Yet that’s just it! He was only a part. He wasn’t the center of my whole life. I had made Christ my Savior but not my Lord. I compartmentalized God and placed Him in a big box that I opened up when I needed to or felt like it.
That’s surely not giving Him my heart’s devotion.
Living life on a mission with my Father this year has exploded that box. For the first time in my life I have seen a glimpse of what it can be like to have Christ at the center of all I am.
God is NOT limited. I know He could have brought me to this place without a crazy missionary adventure overseas with Him. It doesn’t take a “spiritual high” for God to move and bring you into deeper intimacy with Him.
Although super spiritual and feeling super high on life this year, that’s NOT what this year sums up to for me and my squad. It’s given me inspiration and clarity. It has served as a springboard to launch me into the rest of my life with Christ!
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11
Some questions to ponder:
If someone took a look at how you lived your day yesterday, what would they say were your priorities?
If you were on trial in a closed country for being a follower of Christ, would there be enough evidence in your life to find you guilty?
My springboard to launch into deeper intimacy with God was the world race, what is yours?
Over and out,
Julia
