Time for Christ

Chapter 1 - Spend Time with God

I want to begin by defining time. To me, time is a dimension, just like the physical dimensions of length, width and depth. Time is usually measured by us in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years. Therefore, time is in every aspect of our existence. For example, there is the time value of money. There is the time of our lives. There is the time (history) of the earth, etc.

For human beings the definition of time is not the real problem. The real problem or question is: how should I invest my time? We need to recognize that we have a finite amount of time available. Each day only contains 24 hours. Each year only contains 365 or 366 days. An average human lifetime only contains 70 or so years. In other words, we have a limited amount of time to invest. This means we must make choices on how to invest our limited time. For a Christian the question is: how can I invest my time so that I will please my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? I want to tell you what Scripture revealed to me about Christ pleasing ways to invest our time.

First, I discovered that God's perspective on time is not one thousand years, nor one million years, nor even one billion years. Rather, God's perspective on time is eternal. God is the beginning and the end. God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them (Revelations 10:6). On the other hand, man's perspective tends to be about 70 years because our days on earth are few (Psalm 90:10-12). Our time on earth compared to eternity is as one drop of water compared to the Pacific Ocean. The Psalmist writes: “Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life” (Psalms 39:4).

Numerous Bible verses support the eternal truth that God's perspective is different from the human perspective. In Isaiah 55:8 we read: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” Proverbs 3:5 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” From these verses of Scripture, I came to this conclusion. For me to see time and my life from God's perspective, I need to spend time with God. I need to spend time with God to develop my relationship with Him. This is the first-time stewardship principle Scripture revealed to me.

I believe that spending time with God must be my highest priority. Unfortunately, before I really understood this principle, I found myself so busy serving God that I was missing the most important use of my time. When I invited Christ into my life to be my Savior and Lord, I spent much time reading His Word and in prayer with Him. As I realized God's great love for me and experienced Him in my life, I began to serve Him in several different ministries. Unfortunately, I allowed this service and all the other activities in my life to take me away from my quiet time with God. As a result, my life began to get out of balance. Like a wobbly wheel on a bicycle, my life was becoming uncomfortable.

In Luke 10:39-42 we read the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha:
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,” but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Notice how Jesus commended Mary for spending time with Him.

Jesus life on earth exemplified the importance of spending time with God. We read in Luke 5:16: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Again, in Matthew 14:23 we read that “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Jesus Christ during His time on earth spent time alone with His Heavenly Father.

For us to bear fruit in our service to God, I believe spending time with Christ is essential. In John 15:5 Christ said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” For us to abide in Him, we must spend time with Him.

As I examined my life, I realized that I was not spending much daily time with Christ. I was so busy serving God that I was missing the most important part. I was missing having a relationship with Him. Now, I rise earlier, before my family, so that I can spend time alone with God. This time has become very important to me. It is vital to my spiritual growth. I believe that Christians have an inner longing to spend time with God. I believe that God designed us to have fellowship with Him. The Psalmist writes “...As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God” (Psalm 42:1-2)?