Daily devotion – Time to make and time to re-shape!
Time for Joy and for the Lord
On Sunday we studied Exodus 21 and saw how Jesus voluntarily became a servant through His incarnation. We were reminded of the compassion and love that led Him to become obedient, even to death on the cross, so that we might be redeemed. What a wonderful reminder of God’s immeasurable love and sacrifice for us!
In Romans 12:1-2, Paul appeals to us to respond to all that God has done by presenting our lives as living sacrifices, wholly surrendered to Him. Our desire should be to live in such a way that His name is glorified here on earth.
Yet so often we make life unnecessarily difficult by filling our days with things that have little eternal value. We become busy with endless tasks, distractions, and pursuits that neither enrich our relationship with the Lord nor truly benefit our families.
May I suggest that you seize some time this week and you take a pen and paper and write down everything that occupies your time, your thoughts, and your concerns. Ask yourself honestly, What of these things is truly valuable? What can I let go? It may be time to prune away those things that consume your energy but produce little fruit.
Then think particularly about those loved ones and friends who do not yet know Christ. Instead of filling your life with more things, fill it with people. Write their names down, pray for each one individually, and ask the Lord to save them. Pray also that He would use you as an instrument to lovingly point them to Jesus.
Is there room in your schedule for a quiet walk along the beach, where there is nothing between you and heaven? A place where you can pray, worship, and simply enjoy the presence of God? You may think, “I just don’t have the time.” But the reality is that most of us can make the time if we are willing to remove the unnecessary. We must choose to live intentionally rather than merely exist.
The wonderful truth is that when we surrender our schedule to the Lord, He has a remarkable way of rearranging our priorities. As we seek first His kingdom, He enables us to accomplish what truly matters while giving us a deeper sense of peace, joy, and purpose than we could ever achieve on our own.
But don’t wait. Every day the clock continues to tick, and every day is a precious gift from God. Let us not waste those opportunities, but live in the wonder of His grace, with thankful hearts, making time for the One who gave everything for us.
Luke 10:42
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”