The Time Stealers

Saturday, March 13, 2010 Print Article
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The Time Stealers
Tanya James
I have a confession - several of them actually.

... I don't study my Word as much as I should
... I don't always pray without ceasing
... Sometimes I worry about things instead of walking in faith.
... Sometimes I get road rage and have to catch myself from dropping a 4 letter word.
... Sometimes I hold a grudge and allow anger and bitterness to build up inside.
... Sometimes I can be judgmental.
... Sometimes I don't take care of my temple (my body) the way I should by eating right and exercising.
... Sometimes I procrastinate, make excuses or I just allow the spirit of laziness to take over.
... Sometimes I try to ignore the nudging of the Holy Spirit and continue doing what I want to do.

I'm sure I could continue but I think you get the point. I'm not perfect - far from it. But what I've come to realize is the more time I spend with God, quality time with God, the more I desire to be more like Him. And when that desire is strong, I'm less likely to do and say things that contradict His likeness.

The more time I spend studying God's Word, the stronger I get to turn away from sinful ways (actions). The more time I spend in prayer, the more my faith increases.

And like many, I have been quick to say there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. And that excuse has caused me to often neglect my quality time with God.

Yet, I can always find time to watch my favorite television show. I can always find time to flip through my favorite magazine. I can always find time to check my face book and twitter accounts. I can always find time to carry on text message conversations.

Guess what that says to me? "You make time for what's important to you"

So if I review my day, what seems to be most important? Is it finding out what my friend's latest status update is? Or is finding out what instructions God has for me?

I know what should be my priority and I also know what I have to do about it.

... I may have to get up earlier in the morning.
... I may have to take that twitter and facebook app off my cell phone and replace it with a Bible app.
... I may have to turn the computer and the television off.
... I may even have to turn the ringer off my blackberry sometimes.

Whatever it takes, I will make God my priority. I will spend quality alone time with Him daily.

Prayer, studying the Word and spending time with God must be a part of our lifestyle or else we will continue to try to "re-introduce" ourselves to God every time a crisis arises.

I encourage you to look at your daily schedule and figure out what is keeping you from interacting with God each day. What sacrifices must you make to assure you keep a healthy relationship with God? Whatever it is, I guarantee it won't take long to realize it's worth giving up. Try it! You will be amazed at how much more you get done when your priorities are in order!

Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."



Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto www.armedanddangerous.biz.