By Doug Creamer
Spring Break
We had spring break last week and the weather couldn’t have been any better. I enjoyed the days off even though I kept pretty busy. I had a long list of things I wanted to get done. Have you ever noticed you can’t get everything done when you get some time off? I looked around on Sunday evening at all the things that still need my attention, but I tried to remind myself of the number of things I did accomplish.
I started with taxes. I always dread doing my taxes and am relieved when they are finally done. Even though I collect all the documents, it still takes a while to organize them and get all the numbers in the right places on the forms. I took my car to get some maintenance done. I also had time to work on some Sunday school lessons and an upcoming sermon that I will be giving. It feels good getting things done.
While the weather was perfect to get peas and potatoes planted, there just wasn’t time to work in the garden. I had to rake gumballs out of my yard. I want to ask God why He made gumballs. I hate stepping on them and hearing them hit the roof and roll down into the gutters. I did get the fertilizer down and a few other things that were on my outside list.
I whittled away at the list as time permitted. Why does time fly so fast while we are off work? Time seems to move slowly during the work week and fly on weekends and when we get time off. I think time moves the fastest when we are on a vacation. We arrive at our destination excited to unplug and be away. We take a breath but time moves at warp speed and before you know it we are packing up to head home.
Time keeps moving forward. Hours turn to days, days become weeks, and weeks turn quickly into years. The interesting thing about time is that we all get the same amount of it. We then make choices in how we will spend, or possibly waste, our time.
The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything. We all experience loss, so there is a time to weep. We all find somethings funny, so there is a time to laugh. I hope that you have some things in life that makes you wonder, like the stars or the budding of spring that is happening all around us. Sadly, there are places in the world where there is a time for war. I pray often that we will find a time for peace, a true peace for our communities and for our minds.
One of our most important choices is how much time we will spend with God every day. Some days we might find ourselves so busy that we let our time slip through our fingers and we miss our time with God. Other days we might listen to music that lifts Him up, read our Bibles, meditate on the things we have read, and talk with God in prayer. We need to remember that it is our choice how we spend our time.
I want to encourage you to invite God into your day. Let Him and His presence invade your thoughts throughout the day. While I believe having a regular quiet time is vital to your spiritual life, don’t relegate Him to that time only. You can talk with Him whenever and wherever you are. You can read just a few verses and think about them anytime of the day. You can pray when you are waiting in line or at a light. He is with you all the time.
I want to encourage you to consider how you use God’s gift of time. Time is precious and gets consumed by many of our daily routines. We need to eat, sleep, work, do chores at home, spend time with our families and friends, and work on reducing our “to do” lists. In the midst of daily life, we must never forget how precious time is to us. We must remember our need to rest and refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits. Spending time with God will renew your mind and refresh your spirit. Being in His presence, reading His Word, and inviting Him into your daily routines will give you guidance, impact your family, affect your career, and change your life for the better. It’s your choice. It’s your time. It will change your perspective to His perspective. It will give you His perfect peace.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
