The Jesus Touch Part 2 -Redeem the Time

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?

Surviving in an Era of Exponential Change

I recently read an article about “information overload” and was shocked to find that it described the classic symptoms that I often experience, thinking that I am the only one in this predicament.

Truth be told, we are living in an era of unprecedented change. Technology is changing so rapidly that even the tech-savvy youth of today are starting to battle to cope with the overwhelming rate of change. Have you experienced one of those days where you feel like information is being thrown at you from every conceivable angle until you’re totally overwhelmed with the sheer volume of things you have to remember, learn and practice? Whether it’s in the professional world or the classroom, we find the exponential rate of change disrupting the circadian rhythm of our linear lifestyles.

Many people often find themselves the hapless victims of the “overdose of change” they’re experiencing. It sometimes feels like it’s just too much to have to cope with in too short a space of time. The average person experiences far greater stress in this generation than was ever experienced before.  Besides having to cope with the stresses of keeping up with changes in one’s profession, people must contend with ever-changing legislation, together with the stress of maintaining a balanced family life, as well as finding time for extracurricular activities. There is often not much time left for relaxation or contemplation as everyone engages in the daily rat-race. In fact, it is not uncommon to find yourself so busy just working that you’re not able to even take time to gauge your productivity level or recall what exactly you’ve accomplished on any given day!

In the midst of the turmoil and stress of life, it’s most often our time with God that suffers the most. Most people just manage to get by on a few minutes of prayer whispered hurriedly before dashing off to work, or the odd and often incomplete, unintelligible prayer which precedes sleep. We are fighting a losing battle against constant change and we are paying the price in poor health, depression, increased instances of suicide, alcoholism, sleep deprivation and other unwholesome practices. When we need Him most, we seem to deny God.

We can learn an important lesson from the life of Christ as written in the gospels. He arose early and spent time in prayer, daily restoring the vital connection with His Father.  He understood that to neglect this duty would be akin to committing spiritual suicide. Remember, what happens to you spiritually soon dictates your physical state too. We are not coping.

In the midst of change that constantly pulls the foundation out from under us, we need God as our sure foundation and immovable Rock. He is the ONE constant in our lives! Jesus Christ is our anchor in the midst of turmoil and overwhelming change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased."- Dan 12:4 

"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no  end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccles 12:12-13 

Scripture refs: Heb 13:8, Mal 3:6, Dan 12:4, Prov 3:5-6, Eccles 12:12-13