time is

Anyone used to listen to that old DC Talk song "Time is..."?  That has absolutely nothing to do with this post other than that I titled the post after it.


So I offered to share my infinite wisdom with a good friend about 5 weeks ago, specifically regarding intentionally using time.  Here I am finally writing, all because I was "too busy" the last 5 weeks... and now I realize that I need to write this for my own sake.


I am pretty convinced that neutrality is a farce.  I came to this conclusion through my study of MLK Jr. in college, which is actually ironic because when talking about time, he says that it IS neutral.  And in the context of that statement, what he's saying makes sense.  But in the overall scope of his mission and teaching, he helped me to understand that neutrality doesn't exist because if you aren't working for good, then you are supporting evil simply by your silence.  I'm sure I've talked on here about how it is impossible to remain stagnant in our faith; meaning that if we aren't growing in holiness, we actually move the opposite way.  Lately I've been thinking about how if space, specifically in a "tough" neighborhood, isn't purposefully used for fostering positive community, it will likely be used for activity that destructs community.  And like all of these examples, I believe that time is never wasted, in the sense that if it is not used intentionally to pursue Christ and live out His call on our lives, Satan will use it to lure us away from God and towards evil.  Ergo, neutrality is a farce.


I struggle deeply with "time management."  I have never been too good at "compartmentalizing" my time, or my life for that matter.  And in a lot of ways that is something that I value, and have been intentional about.  But over the last year or so, I've realized that there is some wisdom in setting aside time for specific activity.  For example- I recently was blessed with the opportunity to go out and visit my nephews.  I only had 4 days there, and I usually only see them a few times a year.  So when I do get to be with them, I refuse to let anything steal any of that time or my attention- no work, no computer, often no reading or writing even.  I simply want to BE with my nephews.  Now, they are a huge part of my life even when we are not geographically together.  Pictures, letters, skype, prayer, bragging about them, even tears because I miss them so much.  But the times we are actually together are unique and especially cherished.


Even more so, God is a part of every aspect of my life.  I work hard at my job because I believe He has placed me there and I believe in what the Union Gospel Mission does.  I try to empower and inspire people to live the life God has called them to, to pursue the Lord, to embrace who He created them to be.  I invest in the lives of my friends because I know that God has blessed me with them and I hope to be a blessing in their lives as well.  I pray for people because I know that I can do far more for them by submitting them to Christ than any other way.  I am committed to staying alive because I believe that God has mandated that I do so and that He seeks to bring the reality of His kingdom to this earth through my life.  But, I am deeply convicted that I also need to set aside time where He is my only focus.  Time that I spend in the Bible, in worship and adoration of our great God, in listening to His voice without distraction... time of being with Jesus for the sole purpose of knowing Him more and abiding in Him just as He abides in me.  And if I am not intentional about making such time a priority, I often don't do it.


So here's my nugget of wisdom- for myself more than anyone else: be intentional about developing a consistent time to be alone with Jesus, undistracted and with no motivation other than to experience His presence in a way that causes you to worship Him, love Him more deeply, know His love more intimately, and become more like Him.  And don't wait to do so until you have "more time" or "less responsibilities."  If you don't do it now, you are less likely to do it later.  And if you don't mind, will you pray that I would be more committed to doing this?