Are you busy? We can easily become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that loom over us on any given day. We have calendar apps, appointment reminders, and handy lists to keep us organized. I enjoy finding new ways to use my time wisely and stay on task, but I have to be careful not to put my trust in my plans over the One who holds the plan. More importantly, I need to understand that while life often “just happens,” I must approach it with intentionality.
We’ve all experienced times when our schedule took on a life of its own—we were simply along for the ride. But even amid the things over which we have no control, we can be guilty of trying to tackle our schedules without God’s strength and guidance. Flitting about, we ask Him to bless our efforts, safeguard our investments, and take note of all we are doing. But in it all, we should stop and ask the question: Where is God in all of this?
God didn’t choose David to handle the heavy responsibilities of a kingdom because He saw his leadership skills in action, knew he could multitask, or because he had achieved numerous awards for his community service. Long before he sat on the throne, David positioned his life in worship and meditation before his Creator.
David’s declaration of longing for the courts of the Lord wasn’t about a building. It had everything to do with David’s desire to spend time with the Lord (Psalm 84:1-2). He delighted to be in God’s presence and to worship Him while he was there (Psalm 27:4, Psalm 122:1).
Life will not stop to clear the path for us to build a relationship with Jesus. We must make the time to “to live in [His] house, always singing [His] praises” (Psalm 84:4).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ezekiel 37:1-14
More:
Read Luke 10:38-42 and consider what distracts you from spending time with the Lord. What’s the difference between “doing for” and “being with” the Lord?
Next:
How often do you spend time with the Lord? Why must our “time with Him” be more than a list of things we accomplish for Him?
Gene on May 27, 2013 at 10:34 am
Thanks for the encouragement, Regina, to get the time we need with God. I know I’m guilty of thinking I’m too busy, yet time at His feet makes all the difference in the day. Biographies of great Christian workers tell of extended time with God and substantial daily devotions. Why do we think we can get by with a passing prayer as we rush out the door? May we have the attitude of the Psalmist!
regina franklin on May 28, 2013 at 8:58 pm
All of our time-saving devices, and we seem to have less time! Getting back to the basics is a precious thing.
yemiks1 on May 27, 2013 at 5:51 pm
We, living in His house, and Him living in His house[us].
There’s nothing so useless as something God is absent in. Is God in this?
regina franklin on May 28, 2013 at 8:59 pm
Hi Yemiks1–Good question to ask when things demand our time–Is God in it?
mike wittmer on May 28, 2013 at 3:56 pm
I need to hear this, Regina. If I don’t make time with God a priority first thing in the morning I find that it won’t happen later.
regina franklin on May 28, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Dear Mike,
I have to be honest. Some seasons have been easier than others with an early morning quiet time. At other times, I found it easier to put it in the middle of the day, while still at other times, in the evening. And like others who may read this devotional, there are times when I have needed this reminder not to let other things push my day.
winn collier on May 28, 2013 at 4:57 pm
When I read this, I think of the word presence
regina franklin on May 28, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Absolutely, Winn! How many of us would want spending time with us to be on someone’s to-do list?