God has blessed each of us with varied talents according to our ability (Matt 25:15). However, to every one of us He has given time. Each day that we are alive, He fills our lives with the same amount of minutes as the next person. It’s how we choose to use the time He has blessed us with that makes all the difference.
Jesus was a master manager of His time. He didn’t waste any of it, but rather spent long hours investing into the lives of those closest to Him – these would be the ones who would be tasked with taking the message of the Gospel to the entire world. Jesus was never idle. When He was not walking miles between towns as an itinerant teacher, preacher and healer He could often be found in places of solitude communing earnestly with His Father. He often put aside His own desire for rest to meet the needs of those who followed Him, earnestly seeking the gracious words of truth from His lips. Jesus was a very busy man, yet He seemed to have time for everyone! (Matt 14:14-36, Matt 15:32, Mk 3:20)
Are you busy today? Many of us use our “busyness” as an excuse not to get involved in the work of God. Jesus often did not even have time to eat or drink. While the disciples went into the neighbouring towns to gather provisions, Jesus sat at the well and invested in the life of a woman who would become a great missionary for Him. His meat was to do the will of His Father and to finish the work. Jesus was not selfish with His time. He set out to save the lost and He set his face like a flint and stayed the course until the door of salvation was open to everyone. (John chapter 4, Is 50:4-7)
How much time do we spend in idleness and yet complain that there are not enough hours in the day to finish all that we have to do? Christ’s Object Lessons pg 118-119: “Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. Many who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ. We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.” Will you answer Jesus’ call to work in His vineyard today?
