Time to Grow

Yesterday, Sarah turned the TV on to discover that there was sound coming from the large gray box but no picture.  We unplugged it and turned it back on... NOTHING!  It's official, our TV is dead and today we will not have a funeral.  Now, I watch very little TV as it is because my time is precious.  I've learned that TV is a useful distraction and form of entertainment, but I've also learned that it can steal my time like almost no other device.  I wonder, what is stealing your time?  What is in your life that is more of a distraction than a blessing?  Believe me, it's not just television.  It's the computer, it's the gym, it's the cluttered and chaotic life we all make for ourselves.  These things are not wrong or bad in and of themselves, but when they steal your time, they steal your potential to grow where it matters the most... spiritually.

I've been thinking much about what Paul says in Ephesians 5:15-16, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."  Yet, as I look at my life I find that it's so easy to be distracted from the reality that this life is passing me by, and quickly.  For some reason I struggle to maintain the simple truth that this life is only the beginning.  God has graciously given me life and breath today... what will I do with this precious gift?

Are you "making the most of the time?"  Just think of what you could do if you had the single-minded approach to God that He wants us to have.  Think of the time you could spend getting to know and understand your God.  Think of the time you could have to dig deep into the spiritual or theological questions you've been wrestling through.  Think of the time you could have to pour into those around you who are in desperate need of a brother or sister in Christ to disciple them.  Think of the time you could have to share the good news of Jesus Christ with someone who is desperate for the hope of Christ! 

We get caught up in this world as if it were the pinnacle of our existence.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:31, that "this world in it's present form is passing away."  He challenges the Corinthian believers to live a life that matters for Christ.  He calls them to a single-minded devotion to Christ that is unprecedented and in our culture sounds radical.  But isn't that the call of Christ?  Doesn't our Savior call us to a radical devotion to Him?  Matthew 16:24-27 speaks to the reality of what it means to become a follower of Christ and trust me, it's radical.  Jesus says that if you want to come after Him, if you truly want to identify yourself with Him, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!  He goes on to tell us that if you want true life you must lose the life you have.  You are no longer living for yourself but for Him who died and gave himself for you.  This is the cost of discipleship, a radical devotion to Christ.  You cease to live for your own fleshly passions and desires and you now live exclusively for Him.

If you're anything like me, right now you're fired up about what it means to follow Christ, but you're slightly scared because you know what this means.  You know this means you need to evaluate your life to determine if you've really been living for Christ.  You know there are some things in your life that need to go. 

So let me offer you some encouragement.  You can't do this alone, that's why God gave you His Word, His community and His Spirit.  You see, God doesn't want us to be swept away by the business of life.  He is more concerned about your spiritual growth than you are and He intends to help us accomplish the things he has called us too.  He has given us all of the means necessary to fight the flesh and live lives that will impact all of eternity.  That's what I want!  Now, through the power of the Spirit, the help of the church and the truth of His Word, let's strive to make the most of the time He has given us.

Take some time to evaluate your life.  How are you spending your free time?  Who are you spending your time with?  What is taking up all of your time and energy?  What needs to be put on hold so that you can begin to grow in a way that you've never experienced before?  Get a piece of paper out (yes, now) and write them down.  Good, now pray that God would give you strength as you begin to make some major life changes and that He would be glorified in it all. 

Don't waste your life, spend it for Christ!

Ian