Last month was my mother’s birthday. I had no idea what to get her. Shopping for her used to be fairly easy, but now finding the right gift is no longer as easy. When I asked my husband for advice on what I should give her – my question to him was “What do you get for the person who has everything?” And, of course, in Socratic wisdom his answer was “Your time.”
Most people when given the choice of an object or time with a person will choose the person. When Ikea producers asked children if they would prefer Christmas presents for the holiday season or more time with their parents, every single child chose time. People want your time; they don’t want more stuff.
This is even applicable on a higher, spiritual level. Which do you believe that God wants more – your tithe or your time? God doesn’t need your money. The earth and the fullness thereof belongs to Him – the entire world and all that dwell therein belong to Him. But God, the Creator of the Universe wants to spend time with you.
Spend time with God – it is how you cultivate and grow a relationship with Him. Spend time with your friends and families. Time is your most precious commodity – spend it well.
God desires to spend time with us. He wants us to live in His Presence. Many Christians are too busy for God – too busy with work obligations, family obligations, chores, errands, and entertainment. They are too busy to spend time with Him. Yet, time with the Father is so crucial to our spiritual well-being that throughout Scripture we are told to pray (communicate with Him), fast (draw closer to Him), and worship and fellowship both alone and with other believers (simply spend time with Him).
If you don’t make daily appointments with God, 2016 is a great year to start. Below is a simple How-to guide for spending more time in the Father’s presence.
– Make an appointment. Treat this appointment with respect and consistency. You aren’t just meeting with your Heavenly Father – You are meeting with the King of Kings. If the president wanted a meeting with you, you wouldn’t tell him you’re too busy to talk; instead, you’d rush to the meeting. When you make an appointment with the Creator of the Universe, keep it.
– Cancel and block out any distractions. You would never meet with a friend for coffee and then stare at your phone the entire time. Instead, you would be focused on your friend if you wanted the relationship to grow. If you want your relationship with God to grow, you need to focus on Him. I once heard Robert Morris illustrate just how important his time with the Father is. After one of Morris’ church members had given a very large donation, he requested a morning meeting with Pastor Morris. Robert explained that he was not going to meet with him because mornings was his daily appointment with God. Pastor Morris couldn’t be bought. Don’t let anything or anyone buy your time.
– Look forward to your time with Him. If you treat your appointments with God like a religious obligation, rather than a blessed, beautiful event, you’ll quickly burn out. It is an honor to sit in His Presence. If there is any part of you that dreads the thought of spending time with Him, pray that God would give you a longing and strong desire to spend time with Him. God CAN change the desires of your heart.
Making daily appointments with God will strengthen you spiritually. They will help you grow in faith. Your daily appointments are sources of joy and renewal. And remember that those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. Be blessed for 2016!
BOHO + THEO 