I have often thought that if the devil can't make a man bad he'll make
him busy.
When I am busy or in a hurry it is impossible for me to have quality relationships with God or people. The devil knows this
and is able to hide behind any man's "busy" schedule to accomplish
his goal: the destruction of his
relationships. He is very aware of the fact that to really know someone
a man must learn to slow his pace down to be present and
connect. There are the simple mechanics of healthy relationships that can be
easily destroyed through external over-commitment and its partner, hurry.
Satan's scheme gets men playing the "busy" card as a
justification for lack of quality in their connections with God and people. A
full and robust work life should be an expectation of men not a rationalization
for why our relationships are weak especially when it comes to your
relationship with God. Get that.
It is a healthy expectation of men to earn a living, provide for a family and secure their future. Take that
seriously. But when our "to-do" list overshadows our
"to-be" list as a believer, husband or father, then something could be amiss with our faith and
understanding of who God is, and what he wants from us.
There's no commandment in the Bible that says, "Thou shalt
over-commit yourself for this is honorable." No, Jesus said the most
important commandment is to give energy, time and presence toward two sets of
relationships:
o " 'Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This
is the first and greatest commandment.
o
"And
the second is like it: " 'Love your neighbor as yourself' " (Matt.
22:37-39).
o
"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" (Prov.
3:5-6).
So, what does that look like in the everyday life of a modern man?
1. Have FAITH in God. Men need to put more faith in God to
provide and guide than faith in themselves, their abilities and schedules. Do
that and God promises to provide for your needs, and give you an abundant life.
The number one enemy of faith in God in your life is pride and
self-sufficiency. God says he would like you to replace that with healthy and
humble dependency. Both build a strong relationship with Him.
2. Have FOCUS on God. God created men to be in relationship
with Him. He yearns to be acknowledged throughout your day, to be sought-after,
to be known. When we over commit, our relationship with God suffers. But if we
focus on God and living the way he intended us to, he promises to provide power
and peace beyond our understanding. It's a win-win
transformation.
o
"But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well" (Matt. 6:33).
o
"Since,
then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not
on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God" (Col. 3:1-3).
There's your life and God's kingdom. One exists within the other but
Satan wants you to believe God's kingdom exists to fit into your kingdom. We
borrow great troubles with that mindset. Think like a kingdom man and
continuously pray: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done."
3. Make FREE TIME with God. Crowding our schedules leaves little
time for God. Try re-thinking your day and week to include a "timeout
tithe," meaning give God your time and attention every day. It's like
giving yourself a daily tune-up, filling your gas tank or getting an oil change.
If we don't replenish, refresh and refuel, our engine will burn out.
So, open your Bible, open your heart and mind. Ask God to speak to you,
then listen. You will find nibbles of truth from the Word will become feasts
for life.
o
"Blessed
is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that
sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law
of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a
tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose
leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers" (Psalm 1:1-3).
Another easy step to take is to honor the Sabbath. God modeled
taking one day off from work, so should we. Jesus "withdrew" to be
with God. There must be a reason if the Creator of the universe wants us to
take a break from it all, and focus on our relationships at home and with Him.
o
"Be
still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Perhaps the best example of well-placed, well-timed prioritizing in the
Bible is the brief story about the visit Jesus made to Martha's house. Read
this, and let it marinate in your mind, and then assess which sister you
reflect in the story.
o "As Jesus and his disciples were on
their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to
him. 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!'
o
"
'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'You are worried and upset about many
things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is
better, and it will not be taken away from her' " (Luke 10:38-42).
Well, was it Mary? Are you too "distracted" to spend time
with Jesus?
Jesus is saying to all men who claim a connection: You have to SLOW to
KNOW Me.
This ice cream cake is made out of ice cream sandwiches! Easy to make and it tastes amazing when done!
